A safer way to clear yard waste than burning it is to load the brush and limbs into a roll-off dumpster as you go. With a dumpster in the driveway, Tony picks it up when you're done, and nobody has to stand watch over a fire.
Below, we cover the burn question in short, then the other ways to clear a yard, the order to work in, and which of our dumpster rentals across the Charleston area fits each kind of yard job.
Should you check the rules before burning?
Yes. If you're thinking about burning, check what applies at your address before you light a pile.
Why is a dumpster safer than a burn pile?
A pile of dry brush burns hot, and wind can carry embers past the property line. Green brush and wet leaves smolder and make heavy smoke. Painted or treated wood from an old fence or deck makes worse smoke still. With a dumpster, there's no fire to manage, and the painted boards go in with the rest of the wood.
What are the other ways to clear yard waste?
Around Charleston, you have three main options besides burning.
Curb pickup works for small amounts. The City of Charleston's trash and yard waste collection page sets curb limits of "4-foot lengths and 4-inch diameter." Routine pruning fits that.
Taking it yourself works for a load or two if you have a truck or a trailer. Charleston County's landfill and garbage page covers yard waste at the Bees Ferry compost facility.
A dumpster works for a big cleanup, a storm pile or a backyard full of overgrowth. You clear it all at once on your own schedule.
If you hire a landscaper in Mount Pleasant, the Town's trash page lists "Contractor-generated debris from construction, demolition, remodeling, or landscaping" among the items it doesn't collect. Plan a dumpster for that debris before the work starts.
What order should you clear a yard in?
Work from the top down and from the back of the lot to the front. Cut the overhanging limbs and dead branches first, so they fall onto ground you haven't cleaned yet. Then cut back shrubs and vines. Pull the shrubs and stumps you're removing after that. Rake leaves and pine straw last, after the cutting is done.
Stage the brush in one pile close to the dumpster as you go. Loading from a nearby pile is faster than walking each branch across the yard.
How do you load yard debris so more fits?
Cut long limbs into pieces that lie flat. There's empty space under any branch that sticks up at an angle. Put the thickest, heaviest pieces in first along the floor, then pack lighter brush into the gaps. Stand flat pieces like fence panels against the walls.
Bag loose leaves and pine straw, or spread them over the branches so they settle into the spaces. Knock the dirt off root balls before they go in, since dirt adds weight and takes room. Keep the load level with the top edge.
Which size fits a yard cleanup?
Limbs, brush, leaves, pulled shrubs and storm debris go in the 13, 17 or 22. A big trim fits the 13-yard dumpster, which includes 1 ton and 5 days. Storm-scale debris, such as a downed tree or several big limbs, goes in the 17-yard dumpster, with 1.5 tons and 5 days, or the 22-yard dumpster, with 2 tons and 7 days.
A loose rule of thumb is that a pickup bed holds about 2 to 3 cubic yards, so a brush pile you'd need four to six truck trips to clear fits the 13. The dumpster size guide compares all four sizes.
What about dirt, sod and stumps?
Clean dirt from a bed or a leveling job goes in the 7-yard dumpster for concrete and dirt, on its own.
If the job includes sod, mention it when you book and we'll tell you which dumpster fits it.
What about storm debris?
After a storm, the City of Charleston's Recovering from a Hurricane page includes a guide to hurricane debris. Read it before you set debris at the curb. For a yard full of downed limbs, a dumpster lets you clear it on your own schedule.
Where should the dumpster go for a yard job?
The driveway is the simplest spot. If the brush is at the back of the lot, putting the dumpster closer to the work means fewer trips, so describe the spot when you book. A dumpster on your driveway or your own lawn needs no permit.
How long can you keep it for a yard job?
Rentals run 1 to 30 days, so a big property can be cleared over a few weekends. If you fill the dumpster before the yard is done, call for a swap-out and Tony brings an empty one.
What about chemicals from the shed?
A yard cleanup often includes clearing out the shed, and old paint goes in. Tell us what's going in when you book. Charleston County's household hazardous waste program is another place for old lawn and garden products.
Common questions about yard waste and burning
Who do I ask about burning rules at my address?
Call your local fire department or town hall and ask what applies at your address.
Can old fence boards go in with the brush?
Yes. Fence boards, deck lumber, posts and brush all go in the same 13, 17 or 22.
What about a stump or a big root ball?
Small root balls with the dirt knocked off go in with the brush. A large stump is dense and awkward, so ask us about it when you book.
Can I fill the dumpster over several weekends?
Yes. Book the length that fits your schedule, and call if you need more days.
If you want help picking a size for your yard, text or call Tony at (843) 800-0689.
Need a dumpster in Charleston? Call or text Tony at (843) 800-0689, or order online.
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