How to Dispose of Yard Waste: 6 Options Compared
From weekly grass clippings to full tree removals — every yard waste situation has a best solution. Here's how to choose the right method based on your volume, budget, and timeline.
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| 🚌 Municipal Curbside Pickup | Free (included in taxes) or low fee |
| 🌱 Compost It | Free (initial bin setup $0–$150) |
| 🏭 Green Waste / C&D Facility | $20–$50 per ton |
| 🗑️ Rent a Dumpster | $275–$450 (10-yd) |
| 🪚 Rent a Wood Chipper | $150–$300 per day |
| 🚛 Junk Removal Service | $150–$500+ |
All 6 Options In Detail
🚌 Municipal Curbside Pickup
Regular lawn care and small amounts
Most municipalities offer yard waste pickup as part of regular waste service. This is typically the easiest and cheapest option for ongoing yard maintenance — grass clippings, leaves, and small branches.
Tips:
- · Check your city's yard waste schedule (often seasonal)
- · Use designated yard waste bags or carts — loose piles may not be collected
- · Bundle branches with twine under 4 feet long
- · Some cities charge per bag or have bag limits
🌱 Compost It
Grass clippings, leaves, plant trimmings
Composting converts yard waste into rich soil amendment. Start a backyard compost pile or use a bin. Grass clippings break down in weeks; leaves take months. Many cities also offer free compost drop-off at municipal facilities.
Tips:
- · Layer green (grass, fresh clippings) with brown (dry leaves, branches)
- · Turn the pile monthly for faster decomposition
- · Keep pile moist but not soggy
- · Avoid diseased plants and invasive species seeds
🏭 Green Waste / C&D Facility
Large volumes you can haul yourself
Most areas have green waste recycling facilities that accept yard debris for a small fee. Materials are chipped, composted, or turned into mulch. Search "[your city] green waste facility" or "[your city] yard waste drop-off."
Tips:
- · Call ahead to confirm accepted materials and hours
- · Separate wood from green waste (different processing)
- · Rent a truck or trailer if needed
- · No plastic bags — use paper yard waste bags or dump loose
🗑️ Rent a Dumpster
Tree removal, major landscaping, full yard cleanups
For large landscaping projects — tree removal, sod tearout, overgrown yards — a 10-yard roll-off dumpster is often the most practical option. You can work at your own pace over 7–14 days and combine yard waste with other debris.
Tips:
- · Confirm your hauler accepts yard waste (most do)
- · A 10-yard handles most residential landscaping jobs
- · Sod is heavy — don't overload with sod alone
- · Mixing yard waste with general debris is fine with most haulers
🪚 Rent a Wood Chipper
Tree branches, brush, shrubs you want to reuse as mulch
Renting a chipper reduces large volumes of branches and brush by up to 90% in volume. The resulting wood chips can be used as mulch, path material, or compost. Home Depot and Sunbelt Equipment rent chippers. Best for tree trimmings and large shrub removals.
Tips:
- · Rent from Home Depot, Sunbelt, or local equipment rental
- · Feed branches in small diameter first
- · Use protective gear — eye and ear protection required
- · Plan for chip disposal if not using on-site
🚛 Junk Removal Service
When you can't do any loading or hauling
Yard waste junk removal is available through companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK and local landscaping haulers. They load, haul, and dispose of everything. Useful for elderly homeowners, post-storm cleanups, or when you're too busy to manage it yourself.
Tips:
- · Get multiple quotes — prices vary significantly
- · Some landscapers include haul-away in their service price
- · Ask if they compost or recycle yard waste
- · Price increases with volume and access difficulty
Best Disposal Method by Yard Waste Type
| Type of Yard Waste | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Grass clippings | Compost or curbside |
| Dry leaves | Compost or curbside |
| Small branches (< 4") | Curbside or green waste facility |
| Large tree branches | Chipper or dumpster |
| Tree stumps | Stump grinder + dumpster |
| Sod | Green waste facility or free giveaway |
| Shrubs and bushes | Dumpster or chipper |
| Full yard cleanout | Dumpster rental |
Related Guides & Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put yard waste in a dumpster?
Yes, most roll-off dumpsters accept yard waste including branches, grass clippings, leaves, and sod. However, some municipalities require separate green waste disposal, and some haulers charge extra for yard waste or only accept it in designated green waste containers. Always confirm with your rental company.
How do you dispose of large amounts of yard waste?
For large amounts of yard waste, your best options are: renting a roll-off dumpster (most practical for tree removals or major landscaping), hauling to a green waste facility yourself, scheduling a green waste bulk pickup through your municipality, or hiring a landscaping crew or junk removal service that handles yard debris.
How do you get rid of tree branches and brush?
For tree branches and brush, you can: use a wood chipper (rent for $150–$300/day) to reduce volume for composting or mulch use, cut into small pieces for curbside yard waste bags, haul to a green waste facility, or rent a dumpster for large volumes. Tree removal companies typically haul away their own debris.
How do you dispose of sod?
Sod is heavy — about 1,500 lbs per cubic yard — so weight limits apply if using a dumpster. Options: haul to a green waste facility ($20–$50 per ton), list free on Facebook Marketplace (people take it for fill or new lawns), place in a dumpster (check weight limits), or hire a landscaping company that includes disposal.
Can you compost all yard waste?
Most yard waste is compostable — grass clippings, leaves, small branches, and plant trimmings. However, diseased plants, invasive species seeds, and certain weeds should not be composted as they may spread. Large woody branches take a long time to break down and are better chipped first.
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