When most people think about spring, they think about the flowers blooming and the fresh new growth on trees and plants. But for gardeners, springtime is a time for planning and starting the long list of garden projects that have been left on the back-burner over the winter months. This usually starts with a garden clearance.
Though this is exciting for many avid gardeners, there’s a drawback. In general, the larger the project or garden, the more waste you’ll have to dispose of.
When it comes to garden waste clearance, you’ve got many options available to you. You can take your waste to the local landfill, use a green waste removal service, hire a skip, or compost it to mention just a few. It can be hard to know what the best option is.
You will also need to know exactly what is and isn’t classed as green waste, which may leave you having to sort through everything to dispose of the different waste types separately.
We’ve got you covered if you can relate to any of the above. By the conclusion of this article, you’ll have all the information you need regarding your options for garden waste disposal, and you will be equipped with all of the facts necessary to choose the perfect option for you.
How long will it take to clear my garden?
Spring is a great time to start thinking about how you want your garden to look for the upcoming summer. One of the most common questions people have is how long it will take to clear their garden and have it ready for planting.
The answer really depends on the size of your garden and exactly what you’re planning to do. It shouldn’t take more than a day or two if you’re just clearing out some small areas for annual plants.
But if you’re starting from scratch, removing many trees or shrubs, or you’ve got a big project planned it could take a week or more.
The best way to estimate how long it will take is to break the work down into chunks. Break everything down into the smallest work item possible and write it out. It’s much easier to estimate a small task than it is a massive project.
Then add these items up, and you should have a decent guestimate for how long your project will take.
What is classed as garden waste?
Many people might not realise this, but you can’t throw out garden waste with your usual rubbish collection. Garden waste or green waste fits into its own category and must be disposed of accordingly.
At risk of stating the bleedin’ obvious, garden waste consists primarily of the organic material that is found in gardens and allotments, such as leaves, grass clippings, flowers, and branches (shocking, I know).
But It’s important to understand what materials are considered garden waste because specific laws and regulations govern how this type of waste should be disposed of. If you’re unsure, your best bet is to check your local council’s garden waste disposal policy.
You will also need to consider that you may have a lot of items being mixed together. Soil, rubble, and patio slabs are fairly common and can not be disposed of as green waste. This will leave you having to sort through all your waste by hand and dispose of it correctly – but there are other options available to you.
If you’d like to familiarise yourself with the nuances of waste categorisation (or perhaps you’re simply struggling to sleep), then take a look at the government’s “classify different types of waste” page. Either way, it should help!
Do I need to separate my waste?
This depends on how you intend to dispose of it. Most local councils and recycling centres have strict guidelines on what can and can’t be disposed of as green waste.
If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking your local council’s rules on disposing of garden waste.
Similarly, if you intend to take the waste to a recycling centre or landfill, you will need to check with the site as they all have their own rules.
Make sure you check before going. You may well need to book a timeslot before you go in addition to having the waste separated by type.
If you’re using a waste collection service you’ll need to check with the provider. But one major advantage is that they will do most, if not all, of the sorting.
We take most Items at Norris and do the sorting for you, check out our where waste goes page to see what we do with your waste.
What is the best way to dispose of garden waste?
Green recycling bin
This is the cheapest and easiest method. If you don’t have one, you can contact your local council to arrange one for delivery.
The service isn’t free, but it won’t break the bank. There is also a limit on how much they are willing to take, so check your local council website’s garden waste clearance section for details.
Local recycling centre
This is a great option as you know the waste will get processed locally thus reducing it’s carbon footprint. Just make sure to call the centre to get all the information you need before going.
The only downside is you’ll need to transport it there yourself!
Man and van
If you think you might struggle to load the waste yourself, this could be a great option, it’s also cheaper than hiring a skip. We’ll send out a cage truck, and our team of experts will load the waste for you.
You don’t need to worry about getting a permit and we’ll do all the heavy lifting for you.
Skip hire
A skip hire service is a great way to get rid of all your garden rubbish quickly and easily. Rather than having to pile up your garden waste and haul it out ready for collection, you can simply have a skip delivered to your home and fill it up at your leisure.
At Norris, we divert 99% of the waste we collect away from landfills. So you can be confident your garden waste isn’t going to damage the environment.
Skips come in all sizes, so you can choose one that’s the right fit for your needs. We offer five different sizes:
- 4 Cubic Yard Skip
- 6 Cubic Yard Skip
- 7 Cubic Yard Skip
- 8 Cubic Yard Skip
- 12 Cubic Yard Skip
You’ll need to ensure you have sufficient space for the skip. If you need the skip on public land, you’ll have to get a permit. Check out our skip hire FAQ section for more detail on what you need to do.
In order to get the right size, you should think about the amount of waste you’ll have, the type, how much volume it takes up, and is it easy for you to carry and load into the skip?
We generally recommend our extra-large skip (8-Yard) for garden clearance. But if you’re unsure what skip size you need, head over to our skip selector, and we’ll guide you through the process and let you know the exact cost.
In conclusion, garden waste clearance can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be with the proper knowledge and planning. You can ensure that your garden waste is cleared quickly and efficiently by following the tips above. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your garden waste clearance today!
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