Fall is upon us! We can leave the hot humid summer behind us and enjoy cooler and dryer weather ahead. What better time to start your dream landscaping project – removing foliage and planting new trees, shrubs and perennials so that they have time to establish a strong root system when spring arrives. You may have worked out your designs, but don’t forget that landscaping produces a lot of yard waste. The usual curbside pickup of yard waste bags or in-home composting methods may not work. The better way for large volume yard waste removal for cities and towns in MetroWest Boston is to rent a yard waste dumpster , place it in your backyard, and toss the yard waste into the container as you work.
What Can You Put in a Yard Waste Dumpster?
Yard waste dumpsters are for organic wastes only. You can discard branches, shrubs, weeds, grass and leaves, but not large tree stumps. Stone, rocks, bricks, gravel, asphalt, block, concrete, dirt, earth are considered construction waste and construction dumpster rentals would be more appropriate. This is because construction waste typically needs to be hauled to a different facility than organic yard waste.
What Dumpster Size do I Need for Yard Waste?
The most common and best option for landscaping debris is a 20-yard dumpster. It is big enough to allow you to stay within the weight limit and avoid overage fees. However, if you don’t have enough space for the 20-yard container, you can rent a 10-yard or 15-yard dumpster for yard debris. These smaller containers can fit in tight areas and can be safely placed on steeper slopes. For an accurate estimate, you should request a quote from a trustworthy dumpster rental company in Boston.
Yard Waste Removal Regulations and Practices
Different cities and towns in Metrowest Boston have different regulations and practices for yard waste disposal.
In Newton, MA, for example, in 2022, curbside yard waste collection runs from April 11 to December 9. Acceptable materials include grass clippings, tree and shrub prunings, twigs and branches less than 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter, leaves, small vegetable and flower plants, other vegetative matter, wood chips, and pumpkins. The waste materials must be placed in paper yard waste bags or your own barrel. Plastic bags will be rejected. Details can be found at https://www.newtonma.gov/government/public-works/sustainable-materials-management/yard-waste For large volume yard waste disposal, it is better to rent a dumpster in Newton.
Framingham, MA has a yard waste facility on Dudley Road where permitted residents may dispose of yard waste such as brush, leaves, grass, and plant waste. Household food waste is not allowed. You must properly prepare your yard waste for disposal. Leaves, grass, plant waste and small light trimmings must be transported in containers and bags. Only paper bags can be left on site. Other containers and plastic bags must be emptied and removed from the facility. Brush (branches, sticks, twigs and shrubs) must be 4 inches or less in diameter and 4 feet or shorter in length. Logs and stumps are not allowed. Details can be found on the Framingham Government website at https://www.framinghamma.gov/1083/Yard-Waste-Facility . If you have a large amount of yard waste, or you don’t have the time to do the preparations and drop off at the facility, you can trust the professionals at the best residential dumpster rental in Framingham, Zoom Disposal Services, to do it for you!
In Lexington, MA, leaves, grass and hedge clippings, dead flowers or plants, pine needles, wood chips and brush that is 1-inch or less in diameter can be disposed of as yard waste. Invasive plants such as Burning Bush and Asiatic Bittersweet are not allowed. You can put yard waste out for curbside collection, but it must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or loose in garbage barrels without lids. Alternatively, you may take your yard waste to the Hartwell Avenue Composting Facility. Details can be found on the city’s website at https://www.lexingtonma.gov/606/Leaves-Yard-Waste-Composting . However, your best bet for large quantities of yard waste produced by landscaping projects would be to order a residential dumpster in Lexington, MA from a reputable company such as Zoom Disposal.
Many nearby towns such as Needham, Bedford and Waltham have similar policies. Why? Each year, Metrowest Boston residents produce massive amounts of yard waste that have overwhelmed local city and town trash collection programs. Moreover, organic yard waste can break down into bio-gasses such as methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Instead of sending yard waste to landfills, yard waste is now recycled, turning it into usable byproducts such as mulch, fuel, and other resources. This way, we can reduce overall waste volumes and at the same time, reduce pollution and environmental damage.
Tips on Yard Waste Dumpster Rental
Should you decide to rent a dumpster for yard waste removal, here are a few tips to bear in mind:
- You cannot toss trash such as broken lawn furniture, or construction debris such as stone, bricks and gravel into the container. It is for organic yard waste only. You may incur additional charges for materials that are not allowed.
- A 10-yard dumpster can hold about 60-70 full yard waste bags and a 20-yard dumpster can hold about 120-140 bags. The capacity varies quite a bit depending on what you are disposing. Your best bet is to ask the dumpster rental company to provide an estimate for you.
- Prepare a site for the dumpster to sit on. It should be flat, large enough for the dumpster, easily accessible for you to toss waste into it, and easily accessible for the dumpster truck to place and remove the dumpster after it is filled.
Landscaping projects can produce a lot of yard waste. It may not be possible to simply pack them in bags and wait for curbside collection. It is wise to use a yard waste dumpster rental. You can fill the container as you work, and you’ll save time from bagging yard waste and making multiple trips to the town recycling facility.
