How to Dispose of Yard Waste
Figuring out how to get rid of yard waste can be a pain, but with Budget Dumpster, it’s a breeze. Here's everything you need to know about yard waste disposal.
The Complete Yard Waste Disposal Guide
Landscaping projects come along with yard debris. Wondering how to dispose of yard waste so you can enjoy your new outdoor oasis? We’ve broken down the most common garden waste disposal options so you can find a method that works best for you.
What Is Yard Waste?
Before you start tossing debris, it’s important to know what yard waste is — and what it isn’t — so your disposal goes smoothly. Yard waste is organic debris created by landscaping, gardening, lawn care and other outdoor projects. This includes grass clippings, weeds, sticks, branches, bushes, stumps, plants and leaves. Rocks and dirt must be disposed of separately as they are not considered yard waste.
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6 Yard Waste Disposal Methods
Whether you’re landscaping a new backyard or find yourself with a large amount of storm debris after bad weather, get rid of your waste with ease. Check out your yard debris disposal options below.
Rent a Roll Off Dumpster
Pros: Upfront price and speedy service.
Cons: You fill the dumpster.
Cost: Starts at $217 for a 10 yard bin.
Put in Local Trash Collection
Pros: You don’t have to go anywhere.
Cons: May not take all yard debris.
Cost: Starts at $30 per ton.
Hire a Junk Removal Company
Pros: They fill the truck.
Cons: You pay per trip.
Cost: Starts at $450 per truckload.
Burn Your Yard Waste
Pros: No cost to you.
Cons: May not be legal in your area.
Cost: Free.
Bring to a Local Collection Site
Pros: Clean up on your schedule.
Cons: Can take multiple trips.
Cost: Free.
Rent a Wood Chipper
Pros: Breaks down larger debris.
Cons: Still need to haul waste somewhere.
Cost: Starts at $70 per day.
Yard Waste Disposal Done Right — 6 Top Tips
You have several yard debris disposal options, from tossing it in your local trash collection to renting a dumpster. Learn how to get rid of yard waste and decide which method works best for you.
1. Rent a Roll Off Dumpster
Renting a dumpster is an easy yard debris disposal option. With Budget Dumpster, all you have to do is order your bin and schedule a delivery date and location. Then fill your container at your own pace. Our speedy service gets your dumpster rental out of your hair as soon as you’re done. And there’s no need to worry about going to the landfill.
Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
You get an all-inclusive, affordable rate upfront. | You must load the yard waste into the dumpster yourself. |
No need to be home for delivery or pickup. | In some areas, items like large stumps are not allowed in a dumpster. Call our team to learn about accepted materials in your area. |
Dumpster sizes and weight limits vary by location. |
How Much Yard Waste Will Fit in a Roll Off Dumpster?
The amount of yard debris you can fit in a roll off dumpster depends on the size of the bin. The most common dumpster sizes for landscaping projects are 10 and 20 cubic yard containers.
- A 10 yard dumpster can typically fit 1 to 2 tons of yard waste, which is about 30 to 45 garbage cans.
- If you have a lot of debris, consider our 40 yard container — the average weight limit is 4 to 5 tons, equaling about 150 to 165 garbage cans of yard waste.
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2. Check Your Local Trash Collection Service
Some cities will pick up small amounts of yard debris if it’s bagged up properly and left on the curb for collection day. However, your city may limit yard waste collection to a few months out of the year. Check with your town’s refuse and recycling service to learn more about accepted debris types, when they can be collected and how they should be handled.
Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
A low-cost yard waste removal option. | Typically can only toss small amounts of debris. |
Helpful for small amounts of debris. | Not available in all areas. |
Little extra work involved. | Removal time depends on the city’s schedule. |
3. Hire a Junk Removal Company
If you don’t want to haul your yard waste anywhere, consider hiring a junk removal company. They’ll pick up your debris, load their truck and drive off with your waste for good. However, keep in mind that they charge per truckload and the price may change from your quote. The company will schedule a delivery window and send out professionals who will determine the yard debris removal cost upon arrival.
Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
Heavy lifting is done for you. | Price may increase upon arrival. |
Offers scheduled removal of your yard debris. | You must be present for yard debris pickup. |
You don’t have to haul your debris anywhere. | Not ideal for removing large amounts of yard waste. |
4. Burn Your Yard Waste
Burning yard waste is a quick way to get rid of landscaping debris, as long as it’s safe and legal in your area. You should only burn your yard debris in a contained fire pit that’s set at least 150 feet away from neighbors and 50 feet from your home. Check with your local municipality to see if you need a burn permit ahead of time. Choose a calm, windless day and have someone on-site with access to a hose to monitor the fire the entire time.
Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
A low-cost yard waste disposal option. | Need to check local regulations before burning yard waste. |
Burning waste requires minimal effort. | Environmental concerns of smoke pollution. |
Doesn’t overload landfills. | Fires can easily get out of hand. |
5. Haul Yard Waste to Your Municipality's Collection Site
Many cities and towns collect yard waste at certain times of the year to turn it into compost or mulch that is then made available to community members. Your area may have specific requirements about what they accept and when. For example, some municipalities may only accept raked leaves in paper bags for mulch. Others may have more donation options including residential food scraps for composting or mixed yard waste like lawn trimmings, dirt, mulch and more.
Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
Yard waste disposal is usually free for community members. | Need to check local regulations before dumping. |
Help community members while getting rid of waste. | Not all municipalities accept all types of yard waste. |
Environmentally friendly. | Must bundle and haul waste to collection sites yourself. |
6. Rent a Wood Chipper
Wondering how to recycle yard waste? Rent a chipper from your local hardware store, and turn your garden waste into mulch that can be used around your yard. This is a great option if you have a lot of trees and leaves that you want to reuse instead of tossing in the dump. Be sure to cut down any large twigs or stumps and remove rocks from the soil before you begin chipping.
Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
Environmentally friendly. | Smaller machines can only chip wood that’s 2 to 3 inches in diameter. |
Wood chips prevent weeds, keep soil moist and regulate temperature. | You aren’t technically getting rid of the debris. |
Creates mulch and compost. | Wood chippers are loud. |
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How Much Does Yard Waste Removal Cost?
If you include the labor of cleaning up in your total cost, yard waste removal costs between $174 and $436. But if you’re doing the cleanup work yourself and looking for just the removal cost, it’ll depend on your chosen disposal method.
Some garden waste disposal options are free, like burning your yard waste. However, if these methods aren’t allowed in your area, consider renting a dumpster or hiring a junk removal company.
- A junk removal company will charge you between $450 and $650 per truckload of yard waste.
- Depending on how much debris you have, a 10 yard roll off dumpster for yard waste costs around $410 and a 40 yard container costs an average of $648.
Filling a 40 yard bin is equal to about three truckloads of waste. So if you have a large amount of yard debris, the more budget-friendly option is to rent a dumpster.
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Cost of Different Yard Waste Disposal Methods
Disposal Option | Unit | Average Cost |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rock Disposal
Where can I dump yard waste?
The best options for legally dumping yard waste are:
- Hauling it to your local landfill.
- Delivering it to a composting center.
- Dropping it at a local yard waste collection site.
It’s illegal to dump yard waste in most areas because it can negatively impact the environment by damaging native plants, lowering soil quality and spreading invasive plant species. Make sure you only dump yard waste in approved areas.
Can I throw yard waste in the trash?
Before tossing your yard waste in the trash, check with your local municipality. Your city may already have a yard debris or yard waste pickup program in place. However, some states ban yard waste from landfills because it negatively impacts the environment.
Can I throw tree stumps in a dumpster?
It depends on your location. Some areas allow you to toss tree stumps, but there may be an extra charge per stump. And sometimes large branches and stumps are limited to a specific diameter.
Keep in mind that each roll off dumpster has a weight limit. So if you’re tossing heavy yard debris, you may not be able to fill your bin as high as you would if you were tossing light twigs and leaves.
Can I mix other debris with my yard waste in a roll off dumpster?
Depending on your location, you may be able to rent a dumpster that takes both yard waste and household debris. However, some areas only offer dedicated yard waste roll off dumpsters. And when it comes to yard debris dumpsters, some areas allow you to throw yard waste such as tree branches and shrubs in your dumpster, while other places may limit you to just grass clippings and leaves.
Reach out to our team to learn more about our service and find the right dumpster for your debris.
Are there any yard work safety tips I should keep in mind?
Landscaping and gardening projects can be dirty, heavy jobs. Avoid accidents and injuries with these yard work safety tips:
- Wear long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes when removing yard waste.
- Use the appropriate tools for the job you’re completing.
- Wear protective eyewear and hearing protection when using power equipment.
- Drink plenty of water during warm weather to avoid overheating and dehydration.
- Avoid handling chemicals and fertilizers.
Can I compost yard waste?
If you need a lot of mulch or fertilizer, composting is a great method for yard waste recycling. Create your own compost bin, fill it with your yard debris and stir occasionally to help break it down. Then, use your new compost as fertilizer.
If your yard waste includes a lot of weeds or plants, you should think twice before composting it, however. Plant seeds and diseases can survive the recycling process and continue to grow and spread wherever you place the recycled material.
Have Something Else to Throw Out? Find the Right Guide Below:
Appliances
Electronics
Furniture
Mattresses
Rocks
Bricks
Concrete
Shingles
