Yard waste is something that most of us with yards have. Yet, not all of us know how to dispose of it properly, responsibly, and conveniently. The problem is that yard waste is rarely convenient. It takes up space in your yard, looks unsightly, and can be time-consuming to get rid of when you have branches, lawn clippings, and other inconvenient natural materials.
The good news is that despite yard waste being incredibly inconvenient, you have multiple options at your disposal for getting rid of it. We’ll run through a few you might like to consider below!
Rent a Dumpster
Renting a dumpster would have to be the most convenient way to get rid of yard waste, especially when you’re busy with a seasonal clean-up once the snow has cleared. Rather than having the hassle of disposing of yard waste yourself, you can order a bin from a dumpster rental business.
While dumpster rentals are convenient for people getting rid of construction materials, renovation debris, and even broken furniture, they are also more than suitable for green waste. In fact, some of the best dumpster rental businesses encourage people to order waste management bins for:
- Yard trimmings
- Green waste
- Dirt
- Sod
- Rocks
- Gravel
Whether you’ve felled a tree, have a pile of leaves that’s turning into a slimy mess, or branches from a recently-trimmed tree, they are all suitable to place in your dumpster. Renting a dumpster is also a straightforward process. You can contact your preferred business, choose a dumpster size, and provide instructions for where you’d like it to be placed. The company will then pick it up and dispose of your yard waste, so you don’t have to.
Municipality Waste Collection
Depending on where you live in Canada, you might be able to take advantage of your municipality’s waste collection service. Many cities offer yard waste curb collection from spring on alternating weeks through to summer. Sometimes, the waste they collect is turned into compost that they use for parks and public gardens. It can even be sometimes offered to the public for free.
While such a service is convenient for many people, it’s not for everyone. Not all yard waste is collected through most services. Instead, you’re encouraged only to dispose of leaves, plant material like brush and weeds, mulch, and small tree limbs for curbside pickup. In most areas, you can’t get rid of grass clippings, sod, or soil as yard waste.
If your yard waste is suitable for collection, you’ll need to set aside time from your busy day to fulfill your municipality’s collection requirements. They typically require you to place yard waste in craft paper waste bags and bundle your branches. This can be challenging if you’re trying to dispose of a recently trimmed rose bush!
Weeds can also be problematic to dispose of through your municipality’s waste collection service. Some cities request that you place all invasive plants in securely tied plastic bags and dispose of them as garbage. A number of plants fit into this category, such as:
- Buckthorn
- Japanese knotweed
- Dog-strangling vine
- Giant hogweed
- Norway maple
- Garlic mustard
- Manitoba maple
City Landfill
With too much waste for curbside pickup, you might like to explore city landfill options. This requires you to load your yard waste onto a trailer or vehicle and drive to your nearest city landfill. Here, you can dispose of it for composting.
While convenient for people with huge volumes of yard waste, there are a few rules to be aware of. Most city landfill facilities only accept grass clippings, plants, branches, and leaves. They don’t take sod or food scraps. You even have to shake the soil off plants and roots before disposing of them at a landfill facility. This means that you have to sort through your yard waste to ensure that everything you take there abides by their rules.
Home Disposal
Dumpster rentals are undoubtedly the most convenient option for homeowners with a great deal of yard waste to get rid of. You can choose from a range of dumpster sizes to suit your unique needs. However, if you only have a small amount of yard waste, you might be able to take care of it on your own property. We’ve included some helpful tips below:
Chip Your Branches
If you have access to a wood chipper, you can take care of any branches you trim from the trees on your property. Once chipped, the branches can be turned into mulch. Wood chips on a garden bed can make it far more aesthetically pleasing than plain dirt. It also helps your soil retain moisture and warmth.
Leave Grass Clippings On Your Lawn
Grass clippings aren’t accepted for curbside pickup in many towns and cities across Canada. This can be frustrating when you mow your lawns frequently. If you don’t have quite enough to justify renting a dumpster, consider leaving them on your lawn after mowing. As long as they aren’t left in large piles, the grass clippings will break down and deliver nutrients back into the soil.
Use Branches in Raised Beds
Raised garden beds are desirable for gardeners who don’t want to bend down to plant and harvest their goods. However, filling an entire garden bed with nutrient-rich soil can be costly! Cut down those costs by lining your new garden beds with branches and brush. Not only will this mean you have to use less soil, but they also break down over time. When they do, they deliver nutrients back into the earth.
Compost the Rest
Leaves, twigs, and other natural materials you’ve raked up around your property might not look like much. However, in just months, it can become a nutrient-rich compost your plants could use to thrive.
Anyone can create a healthy garden compost product with enough time and a dedicated composting area. Simply turn your compost heap a few times a year to aerate it and add a combination of green and brown matter in layers. Disposing of yard waste properly and responsibly can be inconvenient and time-intensive. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Dumpster rentals from leading providers like Express Bins and some of these other helpful tips might see your yard free of waste in no time.