Yard and garden waste is something that every homeowner deals with on a regular basis. In fact, these wastes take up much of the items that find their way in the garbage bins.
Grass cuttings, weeds, tree branches, twigs, bushes, and leaves make up most of garden refuse. And as you may have noticed, these wastes come from plants, meaning they’re organic.
As such, there are two main ways to handle yard and garden waste, to repurpose or to throw them out for good.
Below are some tips on how you can successfully deal with scraps coming from your garden and yard.
1. Create Your Own Compost Pile
Before throwing your waste away, consider recycling or repurposing your debris for composting. Have a compost bin ready so you can gather and place your recycled waste on it. Before embarking on this activity, make sure to place the compost near your garden and a water source.
Below are some tips on how to make a good compost pile:
- A good compost pile ratio is one part carbon for every two parts of nitrogen. You can mix one bucket of wood chips, newspaper, and other materials, with every two buckets of cut grass, leaves and bushes.
- Your pile would need oxygen to decompose, so turn the pile after every few days to accelerate the process.
- Water is another essential element in making a compost. Lack of moisture can likewise slow down decomposition. Add a few gallons of water as you’re turning the pile.
- Consider using a shredder to hasten the decomposition process. If your yard waste if full of tree branches, stumps, and twigs, use a wood chipper.
Once your compost is ready, you can re-use it as a soil fertilizer for your garden.
2. Hire A Rubbish Removal Company
If you get rid of everything, look for same-day rubbish removal companies that accept all types of waste. Also, they provide complete waste disposal services. They take all the yard wastes and load them on the truck. The fees will depend on the space taken by the debris in the vehicle.
It may be your best option if you want to get rid of garden wastes as soon as possible, and with enough money to spare. However, make sure that they take all types of wastes for you to have a clean and well-maintained lawn.
3. Rent A Dumpster
For property owners, who want to dispose of yard wastes, on their terms, renting out a dumpster is a good idea. All you have to do is determine the size of the dumpster you need and call a nearby rental company. Determine the schedule for drop-off and the location.
You can fill it, as you’re having your yard landscaped or going through specific gardening maintenance activities. Rental periods and fees vary. Take note, some types of debris such as tree stumps may not be allowed to be disposed of in a dumpster. So, make sure to ask the rental company for a list of accepted wastes.
4. Have It Picked Up By Your Local Trash Collection Service
In some areas, regular garbage collection services may be a good waste removal solution. As a homeowner, you don’t have to pay to access this assistance. Unfortunately, the local government requires you to pack the wastes properly; plus, there are limits to the materials allowed for pick up.
Ultimately, this is ideal for low-volume and properly packed wastes. Also, your wastes may sit on your driveway for a long-time as you wait for the pick-up schedule.
5. Drive To The Nearest Dumpsite
If you can’t wait for the following waste pick-up schedule, it’s better to load the yard waste onto your pick-up truck and unload it to the nearest dumpsite. Before doing this, you must be sure that it’s allowed in your area and find the regulations required in your jurisdictions. If you get the green light, you can go ahead.
6. Burn Your Yard Waste
The least recommended yet quickest way to remove your debris is to burn it using a fire pit. If you’re taking this route, remember that this activity emits hazardous pollutants in the environment, that’s why it’s not allowed in some areas.
If you’re allowed to do it, choose an area that’s far away from the neighbors or the community. Don’t leave the space while there’s fire and have water ready to douse it.
Final Thoughts
The best method in getting rid of your yard waste depends on the volume of trash generated by your activity. If it’s a major landscaping job, you might need the help of junk removal specialists and other trash removal options discussed earlier. On the other hand, a relatively low volume of garden refuse may only require composting.