How to Prevent Leaves from Filling Rental Dumpster
A dumpster rental is often the best solution for cleaning up your yard, especially in the fall when the leaves are all over the place. Leaves tend to fill up your dumpster in no time, adding extra cost and more problems than expected. Additionally, the leaves can cause damage to your rental dumpster, leading to potential leaks, tears, or other issues. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best ways to prevent leaves from filling your rental dumpster and keep it in good condition.
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1. Choose the Right Dumpster Size
First, get the right-sized dumpster even before starting the cleanup. Most people make a mistake by not estimating how much the leaves could add up to. You will want to consider a bigger dumpster if you expect a lot of foliage. Generally speaking, a 10– or 15-yard dumpster will suffice for yard waste, but this might change depending on property size and the quantity of debris expected to be collected.
2. Rake and Bag Leaves First
Instead of throwing loose leaves into the dumpster, take a little extra time to rake and bag them. That said, biodegradable paper bags make this much easier to handle, besides keeping your dumpster relatively neat and less messy. This method allows for better airflow within the dumpster, preventing moisture accumulation that can lead to unpleasant odors and increased weight.
3. Place Tarps Over the Dumpster
Consider using a tarp to streamline the process of collecting and transporting leaves. Rake the leaves onto the tarp and then drag it to your dumpster. This method minimizes trips back and forth, saving time and energy. Additionally, it helps prevent leaves from scattering across your yard.
4. Cover Your Dumpster
If you anticipate rain or wind during your rental period, covering your dumpster with a tarp can prevent leaves from blowing away or getting wet. Wet leaves are heavier and can lead to overage charges when you return the dumpster. Many rental companies offer tarps for this purpose; if not, purchasing one can be a worthwhile investment.
5. Don’t Overload
While stuffing as many leaves as possible into your dumpster might be tempting, be cautious about overloading it. Most rental companies have weight limits that, if exceeded, can result in hefty fees. Spread out the leaves evenly in the dumpster, ensuring that they don’t exceed the rim.
6. Plan Your Pick-Up with Care
Timing in this regard becomes everything when having a yard cleanup project. If possible, ask for dumpster pickup after a dry day so that waterlogged leaves do not add extra weight to your load. Likewise, if weather forecasts predict rain or strong winds at any point during your rental period, reschedule to a more favorable time.
7. Use Drainage Features
Some dumpsters do feature drainage, allowing water to leak out. If this is an option from your rental company, take full advantage of keeping your load light and making it easy to maneuver. In cases where there are no such features from the company providing the container, check the bottom of the dumpster for possible drainage holes that will equally serve in handling moisture problems.
8. Composting as an Alternative
If you have a significant amount of leaves and yard waste, consider composting instead of disposing of everything in a dumpster. Composting reduces waste and enriches your garden soil for future planting seasons. Shredded leaves can be added to compost piles and other organic materials like grass clippings or kitchen scraps.
9. Stop Unwanted Dumping
Consider securing your rental when not in use or placing it in a less conspicuous location on your property to protect your rental from unauthorized dumping by passersby. This will help ensure that only your yard waste fills up the container.
Get a Free Quote on Professional Dumpster Rentals for All Seasons in Massachusetts with Daniel J. Clifford & Son
At Daniel J. Clifford & Son, we provide reliable and efficient dumpster rental services for homeowners and businesses across the South Shore. We help each of our customers choose the right size and type of container for their specific project needs and walk through the best ways to keep the rental in good condition. Whether you’re looking for a dumpster rental for spring cleaning or a construction project, we have you covered. To learn more and get a free quote, submit our online estimate request or give us a call at 781-337-7389!