To get rid of yard waste, load branches, brush and clippings into one dumpster on the driveway as the pile grows. You trim a few palmettos, drag some limbs to the back fence, and plan to deal with the pile later. Then a storm comes through, more branches come down, and the heap has been there for weeks. Family Trash is a family-owned dumpster service on James Island, and with a roll-off in the driveway you can clear the full pile at once and finish the job in one stretch.
How much yard waste does a cleanup make?
A serious cleanup makes more green waste than a trash cart or a few contractor bags hold. Live oaks shed leaves heavily in spring and drop small limbs through the year. Crepe myrtles get cut back hard in late winter. Palms drop fronds and leave old boots on the trunk. Overgrown beds produce bucket after bucket of pulled weeds, vines and roots.
Clearing it in one go frees up the lawn under the pile and leaves the yard looking finished. On a landscaping job, the property looks done once the last of the brush is gone.
What goes in a yard waste dumpster?
Branches, limbs, brush, leaves, clippings, palm fronds, vines and pulled weeds all go in. Stumps and root balls go in too. They are heavy and carry soil, so mention them when you book so Tony can plan for the weight.
Brush is bulky and fairly light, so the larger sizes fit yard work. A big trim goes in the 13-yard dumpster, which has 1 ton included. Storm-scale debris, with limbs down across the yard, goes in the 17-yard dumpster with 1.5 tons included, or the 22. The yard waste dumpster rental page covers brush and limb jobs in more detail.
Where do dirt, sod and rock go?
Dirt is heavy and goes in the 7-yard dumpster, the low container for soil, dirt, concrete and brick. A load of clean dirt has no overweight charge and goes to a recycle plant. If brush or trash gets mixed in, the load goes to the landfill and is charged by weight. Tony goes over this at drop-off.
Sod and rock are a separate question. Sod has grass and roots in it along with the soil. Ask about sod and rock when you book, and Tony will tell you which dumpster they go in.
On a regrade or a bed rebuild, that can mean two dumpsters: a 7-yard for the dirt and a 13 or 17 for the brush. If you're unsure how much dirt you have, call or text (843) 800-0689 and describe the job.
How does curbside pickup compare with a dumpster?
Curbside collection works for smaller amounts. In the City of Charleston, the trash and yard waste collection page describes curbside yard waste in "4-foot lengths and 4-inch diameter." That means cutting limbs down and setting them out on your collection day.
For a large cleanup, you can load it all into a dumpster at once, in any length that lies flat inside it, on your own schedule. If you'd rather take yard waste somewhere yourself, Charleston County's landfill and garbage page covers its yard waste compost facility at Bees Ferry.
What order should a yard cleanup go in?
Work from the top down and from the back of the lot to the front.
Start with the overhead work: dead limbs, hanging branches and anything over the roof or the driveway. Then cut back shrubs and hedges. Pull vines off fences and trees next, and clear the beds of weeds and old mulch last. Rake and blow the leaves once the cutting is done, since the cutting drops more leaves.
Drag each pile toward the dumpster as you finish an area, and load it the same day so the carries stay short.
How do you work safely on a yard cleanup?
Wear gloves, eye protection, long sleeves and boots. Palm fronds and some shrubs have sharp edges and spines. Look for wasp nests in hedges and under eaves before you start cutting, and check for snakes in old brush piles before you reach in.
Use a saw or loppers sized for the branch, and keep both feet on the ground when you cut. For limbs near a power line, call the power company. For limbs out of reach of a pole saw, hire a tree service.
How do you load brush so more fits?
Brush leaves a lot of empty space. Cut long branches down and lay them flat along the length of the dumpster with the cut ends together. Put the longest, straightest limbs on the bottom first. Then add the bushy trimmings on top and press them down. Leaves and clippings fill the gaps.
Bag loose leaves if they're dry and blowing, or load them loose if they're damp. Keep the load level with the top edge so it can be hauled safely. If you fill the dumpster before the job is done, call for a swap.
When do Charleston yards need a cleanup?
Spring is pruning and bed season. Late summer and fall are the busiest part of hurricane season, and a storm can bring down a lot of limbs at once. Winter is a cooler time to cut back overgrowth.
Book the dumpster for the stretch when you'll do the work. The 13 and 17 come with 5 days included, which covers a weekend cleanup with time to spare. For a longer project like reworking a backyard, book more days.
How does a dumpster keep the yard clear while you work?
With one dumpster, the yard stays clear during the job. Everything goes into one container in place of three or four piles around the lot, so the grass stays open and walkable. When you're done, the yard is finished. If you hire a landscaper, they can load the dumpster you rent.
Family Trash is based on James Island and covers Charleston and the towns around it. Check the towns we serve to confirm your address is in range.
Common questions about yard waste rentals
Is curbside pickup enough for a large yard cleanup?
For a small pile, yes. For a large cleanup, a dumpster lets you load all of it at once without cutting every limb to curbside lengths.
How do I fit more brush in the dumpster?
Cut long branches and lay them flat along the length of the dumpster. Bushy trimmings go on top, pressed down, and leaves fill the gaps.
Should I bag leaves or load them loose?
Either works. Bag dry leaves on a windy day so they stay put, and load damp leaves loose.
Can stumps go in with the brush?
Yes. Stumps and root balls are heavy, so include them when you describe the job.
If your brush pile has been building since the last storm, call or text (843) 800-0689 and describe the job. Tony will help you pick a size.
Need a dumpster in Charleston? Call or text Tony at (843) 800-0689, or order online.
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