If you’re tackling a yard cleanup in Orlando—whether it’s seasonal maintenance, post-storm debris, or a full landscape renovation—it’s essential to understand how to dispose of yard waste properly. From bagged leaves and grass clippings to heavy tree limbs, stumps, and dirt, each type of debris requires a specific disposal method that aligns with local guidelines. In this guide, we’ll break down all your options for yard waste disposal in Orlando, including curbside pickup, composting, drop-off sites, and dumpster rentals. Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or landscaper, this resource will help you find the most efficient, legal, and eco-friendly way to manage green waste in Central Florida.
What Qualifies as Yard Waste in Orlando?
When planning a yard cleanup in Orlando, it’s important to know what materials are considered “yard waste” under local disposal guidelines. Yard waste, also known as green waste or vegetative debris, generally includes organic material that comes from routine landscaping and outdoor maintenance. The City of Orlando and Orange County both provide clear distinctions between what qualifies as acceptable yard debris and what doesn’t—understanding these definitions can help you avoid contamination fees, missed pickups, or improper disposal.
Common Types of Yard Debris
Yard waste includes biodegradable materials that naturally occur during lawn care, landscaping, or storm cleanup. Here’s what’s typically accepted:
Leaves – Loose or bagged leaves from trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants.
Grass Clippings – Fresh or dried lawn trimmings from mowing.
Bushes and Hedges – Cuttings, trimmings, or entire small shrubs (roots removed if possible).
Tree Branches and Limbs – Usually accepted if trimmed to size (under 4 feet long and under 40 pounds).
Tree Stumps and Logs – Smaller, manageable stumps and log sections may be accepted at drop-off sites or with special disposal methods.
Mulch and Wood Chips – Clean, untreated mulch and natural wood chips.
Dirt and Soil – Often conditionally accepted; usually requires separation and may need to be classified as construction debris depending on quantity or contamination.
Weeds, Vines, and Garden Waste – Includes seasonal plant removals, dead annuals, and other soft organics.
What is NOT Yard Waste?
Not all outdoor debris qualifies as yard waste. Some items must be handled as household trash, bulky waste, or construction debris depending on their material and condition:
Treated or Painted Wood – Lumber, fencing, or pressure-treated planks are not considered organic waste.
Plastic Pots and Bags – Nursery containers, planting trays, and plastic garbage bags must be removed before disposal.
Landscape Fabric and Synthetic Turf – Manmade landscaping materials are not compostable and must be trashed or hauled as bulky waste.
Rocks, Gravel, and Pavers – Inorganic materials fall under construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
Garden Decor or Furniture – Items like fountains, edging, lights, or planters made from non-organic materials must be disposed of separately.
Animal Waste and Food Scraps – These are considered household or compost waste and are not accepted as yard debris.
Mixed or Contaminated Loads – Yard waste mixed with trash, recyclables, or hazardous materials may be rejected or fined.
Properly separating your yard waste ensures efficient pickup, supports local recycling efforts, and keeps you in compliance with Orlando’s disposal rules. Always check with your service provider or city guidelines if you’re unsure about a material.
5 Ways to Dispose of Yard Waste in Orlando
Whether you’re trimming hedges, removing overgrown trees, or clearing storm debris, knowing how to dispose of yard waste in Orlando can save you time, money, and stress. From city services to private solutions, here are five efficient and legal options for getting rid of yard debris in the Orlando area.
1. Use Orlando’s Curbside Yard Waste Pickup Program
Orlando’s Solid Waste Division provides weekly curbside yard waste pickup for residential properties. This is the easiest solution for small to medium debris, especially if you’re handling regular lawn maintenance.
How it works:
Yard waste must be bundled, bagged, or placed in personal containers no larger than 50 gallons.
Acceptable materials include leaves, grass clippings, branches, and trimmings.
Branches must be cut to less than 4 feet in length and under 40 pounds per bundle.
Place debris curbside by 6 a.m. on your scheduled yard waste collection day.
Keep in mind: Overfilled bags, mixed waste, or oversized branches may be rejected. For large loads or heavy items like stumps and logs, a different method may be required.
Check your pickup day: Orlando.gov Yard Waste Info
2. Rent a Dumpster for Large-Scale Yard Cleanups
If you’re tackling a full landscape overhaul, removing multiple trees, or dealing with hurricane cleanup, yard waste dumpster rental is the fastest way to dispose of yard waste in bulk.
Lowboy dumpsters are ideal for heavy organic debris like:
Logs and large branches
Dirt, mulch, or sod
Bushes and root balls
Mixed landscaping debris
Popular local dumpster rental services:
Bin There Dump That Dumpster Rental
Tel: 321-405-2838
Elgins Dumpsters Orlando
Tel: (407) 216-2324
What Yard Waste Cannot Be Thrown in a Roll-Off Dumpster?
While roll-off dumpsters are a convenient solution for yard cleanup, not all yard waste is permitted inside due to weight limits, disposal regulations, and contamination risks. Knowing what cannot go into a dumpster can save you from overage fees, rejected loads, or legal penalties.
Here’s what you should not toss into a roll-off dumpster during yard waste disposal:
🚫 Treated or Painted Wood
Fence posts, decking, or landscape timbers that are pressure-treated, painted, or chemically preserved must be handled as C&D (Construction & Demolition) debris, not yard waste.
These materials contain chemicals that can’t be processed at green waste recycling sites.
🚫 Large Quantities of Dirt or Soil
Dirt is extremely heavy, and even a small volume can quickly exceed weight limits for dumpsters.
Most yard waste dumpsters do not allow bulk dirt, sand, or sod, unless pre-approved and loaded properly (usually in a Lowboy container).
🚫 Hazardous Yard Waste
Items like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicide containers, or gas-powered landscaping equipment are banned from dumpsters.
These are classified as hazardous waste and require special disposal through local hazardous waste programs.
🚫 Tree Stumps Over a Certain Size
While small stumps may be allowed, large or root-heavy stumps can damage containers or exceed the dumpster’s weight limit.
Check with your dumpster provider (like Elgins) before loading stumps to avoid surcharges.
🚫 Rock, Gravel, or Concrete
These are classified as inert or C&D materials, not yard waste.
If you’re removing landscape rock, edging stones, or concrete pavers, request a dumpster designed for heavy debris, not green waste.
With flexible drop-off and pickup scheduling, a dumpster allows you to load at your own pace without making multiple trips. Just make sure to keep yard waste separate from household trash to avoid contamination fees.
3. Compost Your Organic Waste
Composting is a sustainable way to turn yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. If you’re wondering how to dispose of yard waste without contributing to landfills, this method checks all the eco-friendly boxes.
Compostable materials include:
Grass clippings and dry leaves
Plant trimmings and weeds (non-invasive species)
Garden waste like vegetable stems and pulled annuals
Small amounts of mulch or wood chips
You can build your own backyard compost pile or check if Orlando offers community composting drop-off locations.
Bonus: Composting reduces methane emissions and improves your garden’s soil health.
4. Drop Off at Yard Waste Disposal Sites or Green Recycling Facilities
For debris too bulky for curbside pickup, or for residents without service coverage, Orlando and Orange County operate green waste drop-off centers where you can self-haul yard debris.
Accepted materials typically include:
Clean branches, limbs, logs
Leaves and grass
Bushes and hedge trimmings
Limited quantities of dirt or mulch
Some locations may charge a fee based on weight or volume, so call ahead to confirm what’s accepted.
Example site:
McLeod Road Transfer Station
5000 L B McLeod Rd, Orlando, FL 32811
Tel: 407-836-6601
5. Hire a Yard Waste Removal or Landscaping Service
Don’t have the time or tools to deal with piles of yard debris? A professional removal service can handle everything from cutting to hauling—especially useful for oversized items like stumps or tangled vines.
Best for:
Post-storm cleanup
Stump removal and hauling
Overgrown properties or vacant lots
Property cleanouts or rental turnovers
While this is the most expensive option, it’s ideal when you need fast, full-service yard cleanup without lifting a finger.
How to Dispose of Specific Types of Yard Waste
Different types of yard waste require different disposal methods—especially when it comes to size, weight, and compostability. Whether you’re managing regular lawn maintenance or a major yard overhaul, here’s how to dispose of each material safely and in compliance with Orlando’s local guidelines.
Leaves and Lawn Clippings
How to dispose of:
Leaves and grass clippings are among the easiest materials to handle. They’re lightweight, compostable, and accepted through Orlando’s curbside yard waste pickup.
Disposal options:
Bag them in paper lawn bags or place them in reusable yard waste containers (max 50 gallons).
Compost them at home or drop off at a local compost facility. Grass clippings add nitrogen while leaves provide carbon.
Mulch in place: Leave short clippings on the lawn to naturally decompose and enrich your soil.
Avoid:
Using plastic bags—yard waste in plastic will not be collected.
Tree Branches and Limbs
How to dispose of:
Branches and limbs require trimming and bundling for curbside pickup—or a larger disposal method for bulk amounts.
Disposal options:
Cut to 4 feet or shorter and bundle with string or twine (each bundle under 40 pounds).
Schedule a large item pickup if volume exceeds weekly limits.
Rent a dumpster if you’re clearing multiple trees or doing post-storm cleanup.
Drop off at a yard waste facility that accepts clean wood debris.
Pro tip: Keep loads clean—branches mixed with fencing or pressure-treated wood will be rejected.
Tree Stumps and Large Logs
How to dispose of:
These are the heaviest and most difficult items to remove. Due to their weight and density, stumps and logs aren’t accepted in curbside pickup programs.
Disposal options:
Hire a stump grinding service to reduce the stump into mulch.
Rent a Lowboy dumpster for heavy, bulky waste that includes stumps and logs.
Self-haul to a drop-off site that accepts Class III debris (call ahead for acceptance policies).
Note: Large stumps may be classified as C&D (construction and demolition) debris and incur landfill tipping fees.
Dirt, Soil, and Mulch
How to dispose of:
Unlike other yard waste, dirt and soil aren’t always accepted in regular yard waste programs. They’re dense, heavy, and often require separate disposal.
Disposal options:
Reuse or redistribute around your yard if it’s clean and uncontaminated.
Offer excess soil or mulch on local reuse platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor.
Rent a dumpster for large-scale dirt removal during excavation or regrading.
Drop off clean fill dirt at approved disposal sites (verify soil purity beforehand).
Warning: Dirt mixed with roots, trash, or concrete may be reclassified as mixed debris and incur higher disposal fees.
Bushes, Hedges, and Shrubs
How to dispose of:
These types of yard waste are manageable if trimmed into smaller sections. Removing root balls helps keep weight down and avoids rejection at drop-off sites.
Disposal options:
Cut into manageable pieces (under 4 feet, <40 lbs per bundle) and place at the curb.
Compost smaller trimmings like leaves and soft stems.
Dumpster rentals are ideal if you’re removing many bushes or clearing overgrown property.
Drop off whole bushes or woody shrubs at a green waste facility that accepts bulk organics.
Pro tip: Shake off excess soil from roots before bundling to avoid reclassification as mixed debris.
Orlando Yard Waste Regulations and Guidelines
To keep Orlando clean, green, and compliant, the city has established specific regulations for yard waste collection and disposal. Whether you’re bagging leaves or removing large limbs, it’s important to follow these local guidelines to avoid missed pickups, fines, or contamination issues.
Key Yard Waste Rules in Orlando:
Collection is Weekly:
Yard waste is collected once per week on a designated service day. Make sure all materials are curbside by 6 a.m., and not earlier than the night before.
Container Requirements:
Use biodegradable paper lawn bags, reusable yard waste containers (up to 50 gallons), or tie bundles with natural string or twine. Plastic bags are not accepted and will be left behind.
Size & Weight Limits:
Branches must be under 4 feet long and weigh less than 40 pounds per bundle.
No container or bag should weigh more than 60 pounds.
Overfilled or oversized items may be rejected at pickup.
Acceptable Yard Debris:
Includes leaves, grass clippings, twigs, shrubs, small branches, and clean organic garden waste. All must be free of plastic, metal, or non-organic materials.
Unaccepted Materials:
Dirt, mulch, and stumps (must be disposed of separately)
Treated wood, fence posts, and construction debris
Plastic pots, synthetic turf, and landscape fabric
Mixed debris (e.g., yard waste combined with trash or recyclables)
Special Pickup for Large Volumes:
If you exceed the volume allowed for standard curbside pickup, you may request a bulk pickup appointment or rent a dumpster for large-scale yard work.
Hurricane & Storm Cleanup:
Orlando typically offers additional collection rounds following major storms or hurricanes. Keep debris sorted and follow emergency instructions for pile placement and collection.
Illegal Dumping Penalties:
Dumping yard waste in vacant lots, waterways, or on roadsides is illegal and subject to fines or enforcement action under Orlando municipal code.
Where to Get More Info or Report Issues
City of Orlando Solid Waste Division
1028 Woods Ave #3855, Orlando, FL 32805
https://www.orlando.gov/Our-Government/Departments-Offices/Public-Works/Solid-Waste
Tel: 407-246-2314
Orange County Utilities – Waste Division
https://www.orangecountyfl.net/watergarbagerecycling/landfillandtransferstations.aspx
Tel: (407) 836-6601
When in doubt, contact the city to confirm acceptable materials, pickup schedules, or drop-off options. Following these yard waste regulations ensures smoother service, protects the environment, and keeps Orlando neighborhoods looking their best.
