Getting rid of yard waste can be tricky after a long day of yard work. You might wonder what to do with all those leaves, grass clippings, and branches. There are many ways to get rid of yard waste that are good for the earth and easy to do.
What Counts as Yard Waste?
Before we talk about how to get rid of yard waste, let’s make sure we know what counts as yard waste. Yard waste is the natural stuff that comes from taking care of your yard or garden.
Common Types of Yard Waste
Yard waste includes many things from your yard. Leaves that fall from trees in autumn are yard waste. Grass clippings from mowing your lawn are yard waste too. When you trim trees or bushes, those branches and twigs count as yard waste. Flowers and plants that you pull up or that die are also yard waste. Even the fruit and vegetables from your garden that you don’t eat can be yard waste.
Some things might seem like yard waste but are not. Rocks and dirt are not yard waste. Flower pots made of plastic are not yard waste. Painted or treated wood is not yard waste. Pet poop is also not yard waste. These items need different ways to throw them away.
Here’s a simple table showing what is and isn’t yard waste:
| What IS Yard Waste | What is NOT Yard Waste |
| Leaves | Rocks |
| Grass clippings | Dirt |
| Branches and twigs | Plastic pots |
| Flowers and plants | Treated wood |
| Fruit and vegetable scraps | Pet waste |
| Christmas trees | Plywood |
| Weeds | Plant tags |
Knowing what counts as yard waste helps you figure out the best way to get rid of it. Now let’s look at some ways to dispose of yard waste.
Easy Ways to Dispose of Yard Waste
There are many simple ways to get rid of yard waste. Some methods cost money, and some are free. Some you can do right at home, and some need help from others.
Rent a Dumpster for Yard Waste
Renting a dumpster is a quick way to get rid of yard waste. A company brings a big container to your house. You fill it with yard waste, and then the company takes it away. This is good for big yard projects when you have lots of branches, leaves, or other yard waste.
Dumpsters come in different sizes. Smaller waste containers such as the 10 cubic yard are good for little projects like spring clean up after trimming bushes and borders. Big ones work for major yard makeovers. The cost varies depending on your location, the size of the dumpster, and how long you need it.
Here’s a guide to different dumpster sizes:
| Dumpster Size | Good For |
| 10-yard | Small yard cleanups |
| 20-yard | Medium yard projects |
| 30-yard | Large yard work |
| 40-yard | Major yard clearing |
When you rent a dumpster, make sure to ask what kinds of yard waste you can put in it. Some companies don’t allow dirt or certain plants. Also, check if there are weight limits for the dumpster.
Use Your Local Yard Waste Pickup
Many towns collect yard waste as part of trash pickup. This is a handy way to get rid of yard waste because you just put it out at the curb on special days. The town’s workers come by and pick it up.
Before you pile yard waste at the curb, call your town office to learn the rules. Each town has different rules about when they pick up yard waste. They might only do it during certain times of the year. They also have rules about how to put out your yard waste. Some towns want you to use special bags. Others want you to tie branches in bundles.
Most towns have these kinds of rules for yard waste pickup:
- Use paper bags, not plastic
- Tie branches in bundles less than 4 feet long
- No dirt, rocks, or tree stumps
- Bags or containers can’t be too heavy
This service is usually part of what you already pay for trash pickup. The downside is you have to work around the town’s schedule, not yours.
Eco-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Yard Waste
If you want to help the earth, there are ways to get rid of yard waste that are good for the environment. These methods turn yard waste into something useful instead of trash.
Make Compost from Your Yard Waste
Composting is a great way to use yard waste. Composting turns leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps into rich dirt for your garden. This process happens naturally as tiny organisms break down the yard waste.
You don’t need fancy equipment to start composting. A simple pile in a corner of your yard works fine. Or you can buy a compost bin. Layer your “green” waste (fresh grass clippings) with “brown” waste (dried leaves) for the best results.
Composting has many benefits:
- Reduces garbage going to landfills
- Creates free plant food
- Makes your soil healthier
- Helps your garden hold water
When your compost turns dark and crumbly, it’s ready to use. Spread it around your plants to give them extra food and help them grow stronger. Your garden will thank you!
Turn Yard Waste into Mulch
Mulching is another earth-friendly way to use yard waste. Mulch is a layer of material you spread around your plants. It helps keep water in the soil and stops weeds from growing.
You can make mulch from many things in your yard:
- Dried leaves
- Wood chips from trimmed branches
- Grass clippings (dried first)
- Pine needles
- Small twigs
Spread a 2-3 inch layer of these materials around your plants. Leave a small space around stems to prevent rot. The mulch will slowly break down, feeding your soil while protecting your plants.
Different types of mulch last for different lengths of time:
| Mulch Type | Best For | How Long It Lasts |
| Leaves | Flower beds | 1-2 seasons |
| Wood chips | Trees & bushes | 2-3 years |
| Grass clippings | Vegetable gardens | 1 season |
| Pine needles | Acid-loving plants | 1-2 years |
This approach works especially well for woody materials that take longer to compost. Your larger branches can be chipped into wood chips that make excellent mulch for pathways and around trees.
Can I Put Yard Waste in My Regular Trash or Recycling?
Many people wonder if they can just throw yard waste in their regular trash or recycling bins. The short answer is no, you shouldn’t. Here’s why.
Why Yard Waste Doesn’t Belong in Trash
In many states, there are laws that ban yard waste from going into landfills. This is for good environmental reasons. When yard waste breaks down in landfills without air, it creates a gas called methane. Methane is bad for our air and contributes to climate change.
Instead of throwing yard waste in the trash, look for special yard waste collection programs in your area. These programs take yard waste to facilities where it can break down properly with air. This produces less methane and creates compost that can be used in gardens.
Why Yard Waste Doesn’t Belong in Recycling
Your recycling bin isn’t the right place for yard waste either. Recycling facilities are set up to process materials like paper, plastic, and glass. They aren’t equipped to handle organic materials like leaves and grass clippings.
Putting yard waste in your recycling bin can contaminate the whole batch of recyclables. This means that good recyclable materials might end up in the landfill because they got mixed with yard waste.
How to Dispose of Different Types of Yard Waste
Different types of yard waste sometimes need different disposal methods. Let’s look at how to handle specific kinds of yard waste.
Getting Rid of Grass Clippings and Leaves
The easiest way to handle grass clippings is to leave them on your lawn. This is called “grasscycling.” The clippings quickly break down and return nutrients to your soil. To do this, just remove the bag from your lawn mower and let the clippings fall back onto the lawn.
For leaves, you can use a mulching mower to chop them up small. Then they can stay on the lawn too. If you have too many leaves, collect them for composting or put them in yard waste bags for pickup.
Disposing of Branches and Larger Yard Waste
Branches and larger yard waste can be harder to deal with. For small branches, you can cut them into smaller pieces for yard waste pickup. Most towns have rules about how long branches can be (usually 3-4 feet) and how thick they can be.
For larger branches or lots of branches, you might need to:
- Rent a chipper to turn them into mulch
- Hire a tree service to remove them
- Call for a special pickup from your town
- Take them to a drop-off center yourself
Yard Waste Disposal FAQs
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard?
Burning yard waste in your backyard is usually not allowed in most towns and cities. Many places have laws against burning yard waste because it causes air pollution and fire danger. Check with your local fire department before burning anything. Even in rural areas where burning might be allowed, you usually need a permit and must follow strict safety rules.
What’s the cheapest way to dispose of yard waste?
The cheapest way to dispose of yard waste is to handle it on your property through composting or mulching. These methods cost nothing and turn waste into something useful for your garden. If you can’t do that, using your town’s yard waste pickup service is usually the next cheapest option, as it’s often included with your regular trash service.
How do I dispose of yard waste if I don’t have a truck?
If you don’t have a truck to haul yard waste, you have several options. You can use your local yard waste pickup service if available, just putting bags or bundles at the curb. You can compost or mulch the waste in your own yard. You can rent a dumpster that gets delivered to your home. Or you can hire a private yard waste removal service that will come to your property and haul away the waste for you.
Conclusion
Getting rid of yard waste doesn’t have to be hard. You have many options, from simple composting in your backyard to renting a dumpster for big projects. The best choice depends on how much yard waste you have, your budget, and what services are available in your area. By choosing earth-friendly disposal methods when possible, you help keep our planet clean and healthy. Next time you finish yard work, you’ll know exactly what to do with all those leaves, grass clippings, and branches!
How to Dispose of Yard Waste FAQs
What do I do with yard waste if my town doesn’t offer pickup?
If your town doesn’t offer yard waste pickup, you can compost the waste in your yard, take it to a local drop-off center, or hire a private service to remove it. Many garden centers and landscape companies also accept yard waste that they turn into compost or mulch for their businesses.
How can I reduce the amount of yard waste I produce?
You can reduce yard waste by leaving grass clippings on your lawn when you mow, choosing plants that need less pruning, using fallen leaves as mulch in garden beds, and setting up a home composting system. These practices not only reduce waste but also keep nutrients in your yard where they benefit your plants.
Is it okay to put fruit and vegetable scraps in with yard waste?
Fruit and vegetable scraps can usually go in with yard waste if you’re composting at home. For municipal yard waste collection, the rules vary by location. Some towns allow fruit and vegetable scraps in yard waste bins, while others consider them food waste that should go in separate containers. Check your local guidelines to be sure.
