What size dumpster do I need for yard waste?
A 10 or 15 yard container suits most residential yard clearances, and a 20 yard handles a large lot clearing or storm cleanup. Keep the load free of construction debris, bags and trash, because a clean green load can often go to a composting facility at a lower disposal rate than landfill. Call 1-833-520-0680.
Who should rent this container?
Branch, brush and limb removal- Sod, soil and turf stripping
- Storm and wind damage cleanup
- Hedge, shrub and small tree removal
- Seasonal leaf and garden clearance
What are the dimensions and weight limits?
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common sizes | 10, 15 and 20 yard |
| Sod and soil | Heavy, usually needs a 10 yard |
| Brush and branches | Bulky and light, 15 or 20 yard |
| Clean load requirement | No bags, trash or construction debris |
| Typical disposal route | Composting or green waste facility |
| Stumps | Often restricted or charged separately |
Why does keeping the load clean save money?
Because of where it goes afterwards. Clean green waste can be composted or mulched, and composting facilities generally charge less per ton than landfills. A clean load therefore costs the provider less to tip, and that shows up in your quote.
Contamination removes the option entirely. One bag of household trash, a few lengths of treated lumber or a pile of plastic sheeting and the whole container goes to landfill at the higher rate.
How do you load branches efficiently?
Cut to length and lay flat. A container loaded with whole limbs is mostly air, and you pay for the volume regardless. Four to six foot lengths stacked in the same direction will fit two to three times the brush of the same material thrown in whole.
Put the heavy trunk sections on the floor of the container and the lighter brush on top, which also keeps the load stable for transport.
What about soil and sod?
Treat it as heavy debris, not green waste. A cubic yard of damp soil weighs around a ton, which means a 15 yard container of sod would be far over the truck’s legal weight long before it was full.
If a project involves both, that is two containers: a small heavy debris box for the soil and sod, and a larger one for the brush. Mixing them produces a load that is both overweight and non-compostable.
Is seasonality a factor?
Yes, more than for most container types. Spring cleanups and autumn leaf clearance are peak periods, and storm seasons produce sudden regional demand spikes that can tie up containers for weeks.
If your work is weather driven rather than scheduled, call as early as you can and be flexible on the delivery day.
How does booking work?
Call with your ZIP and debris list
We connect you with a local provider. Describe the material honestly so the weight allowance is right.
Confirm price, dates and placement
The provider quotes the all in total and tells you what the site needs to look like on delivery day.
Load it, then call for pickup
Keep debris level with the top rail. Call when you are done or let the rental period run out.
What does it cost?
| Market type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Major metro | $325 to $700 |
| Mid size city | $290 to $600 |
| Small town or rural | $260 to $550 |
Going over the included weight is the most common extra charge. Expect roughly $50 to $125 per extra ton, depending on the local landfill rate.
What can you put in it?
Usually accepted
- Household junk, furniture and mattresses
- Drywall, lumber, trim and flooring
- Asphalt shingles, in a heavy debris container
- Yard waste, branches and sod
- Appliances with the refrigerant already removed
- Carpet, padding and cabinetry
Not accepted
- Paint, solvents, fuel and motor oil
- Tires and vehicle batteries
- Asbestos and other regulated materials
- Propane tanks and pressurized cylinders
- Medical waste and chemicals
- Electronics in states that ban them from landfills
Accepted material varies by landfill and by provider. Confirm your list on the call before the container is dropped.
Where should the container sit?
Yard work tends to happen away from the driveway, so think about the carry. Positioning the container at the garden end of the drive, even if it is less convenient to look at, saves a great deal of walking with a wheelbarrow.
The truck needs roughly 60 feet of straight approach, 10.5 feet of width and 23 feet of overhead clearance. Low branches, carports and utility lines are the usual obstacles. Keep cars clear of the drop zone, and tell the driver which way you want the barn doors to face.
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Yard Waste Dumpster questions
Can I mix yard waste with other debris?
You can, but it usually costs more. A clean green load can often go to a composting facility at a lower rate, and mixing in bags or construction debris sends the whole load to landfill.
Do branches need to be cut down?
Yes, into lengths that lie flat in the container. Long limbs create voids and you end up paying to haul air. Four to six foot lengths load far more efficiently.
Can I put sod and dirt in a yard waste container?
Soil and sod are heavy, so they usually need a smaller heavy debris container rather than a large green waste box. Tell the provider if soil is part of the load.
Are tree stumps accepted?
Often restricted, and almost always charged separately. Large stumps are difficult to process and some facilities refuse them entirely. Check before you book.
Should the waste be bagged?
No. Plastic bags contaminate a compostable load. Load green waste loose, or use paper yard waste sacks if your facility accepts them.
Is a yard waste container cheaper than a general one?
Often, yes, where a composting facility is available locally. Green waste tipping fees are typically lower than landfill rates, and clean loads qualify.
Who wrote this page
Written and fact checked by the Dumpster Porta Potty USA editorial team. We check container sizes, servicing intervals and price ranges against published provider rate sheets and federal guidance, then update the page when those change.
Last updated . Read our editorial policy.
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