What counts as brush and yard waste, and how to prep it

Usually accepted

• Tree limbs and branches.
• Shrub and hedge trimmings, woody vines.
• Leaves, usually only in paper (Kraft) bags. Some sites refuse grass clippings.

Usually not accepted

• Stumps and root balls, dirt, rocks and concrete.
• Treated, painted or particle-board lumber and construction debris.
• Trash, plastic bags, and anything with wire or metal mixed in. Palms and cacti at some sites.

Prep your load

1. Check eligibility. Most city sites are for residents only and need a current utility bill plus matching ID.
2. Separate it. Keep brush apart from trash and construction debris. Mixed loads are often turned away.
3. Cut to length. Pieces of about 4–8 ft are easiest to unload, and cut ends are easier to handle.
4. Bag leaves in paper. Plastic bags are refused at many sites.
5. Tarp and secure the load. Many sites require covered loads.
6. Know your volume. Limits are often given in cubic yards (length × width × height in feet ÷ 27).

Too much brush to haul?

For lots, acreage or heavy overgrowth, hauling it yourself can take dozens of trips. That's when land-clearing or mulching equipment makes sense.