Post-Storm Yard Cleanup: Efficiently Managing Landscape Debris
Is Your Yard a Mess After a Heavy Storm?
If your property is littered with branches, leaves, and other storm debris, Express Roll Off Dumpsters offers affordable container rentals to help you clean up. It's important, however, to understand what can and cannot go into our dumpsters due to specific regulations at local dumps.
Understanding Vegetative Debris Disposal
Disposing of landscape debris like branches, leaves, and palm fronds directly in a dumpster is perfectly acceptable. These materials can be composted and mulched, helping to conserve landfill space. However, mixing these with non-vegetative items like construction debris or household junk may incur additional fees.
Vegetative Debris and Mixed Load Fees
Local dumps charge a fee of $41 per ton for mixed loads because they require extra labor to separate recyclable vegetative matter from other waste. For example, while you may think it's okay to dispose of wooden fencing with vegetative waste, doing so triggers these fees because non-vegetative wood disrupts the composting process.
Prohibited and Non-Vegetative Items
There are specific items that should not be placed in dumpsters with vegetative debris:
- Pressure-treated wood: Like stakes, fencing, and other treated lumber.
- Dirt and stones: These are not considered vegetative matter and require different disposal methods.
- Construction debris: Such as drywall, concrete, and metals.
- Household junk: Including old furniture, appliances, and general waste.
How to Avoid Additional Fees
To minimize costs and ensure proper disposal, consider separating your waste into 'clean loads'—loads consisting of only one type of waste. Here's how to manage different types of debris:
| Vegetative Debris | Not Vegetative Debris | Mixed Load Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Twigs, branches, sticks | Rocks, stones | Sections of fencing with yard debris |
| Vines | Dirt, fill, concrete, fines (base) | Drywall and palm fronds |
| Palm fronds | Sod | Old furniture and branches |
| Tree trunks | Pressure-treated wood (fencing, 2x4s, etc.) | Sections of screen enclosure and leaves |
| Mulch | Dock material, wood shed, wood shingles | Old flooring and tree trunks |
| Weeds, grass clippings | Junk, old furniture, construction debris | Renovation material and mulch |
Contact Express Roll Off Dumpsters
For more details on dumpster rentals and to ensure you choose the right size and type for your clean-up needs, please call us at 321-253-1080. Our team is ready to help you understand local regulations and make the most cost-effective choices for disposing of your post-storm debris.
Proper disposal of storm debris not only keeps your property clean but also helps protect the environment by ensuring materials are correctly recycled or disposed of. By following these guidelines, you can avoid additional fees and contribute to sustainability efforts in your community.