Leaf removal isn’t always necessary, and what you should do with leaves in your yard depends on the number of trees you have. Leaving a small amount of leaves to decompose on your property can add nutrients to the soil and help grass, plants, and trees thrive. However, large accumulations of leaves can promote mold and fungal growth, so you should do at least two fall cleanups if you have many trees on your property.

You cannot put anything you want into a rented dumpster, as there are significant restrictions on certain items.

Generally allowed items include:

• Household Junk: Furniture, old linens, carpets, toys, small appliances, and excess trash.

• Construction & Yard Debris: Wood, yard debris, roofing materials, old finishes, and other construction waste.

Commonly prohibited items include:

• Hazardous Materials: Toxic waste, medical waste, dangerous chemicals, items with lead paint, and asbestos.

• Flammables: Gasoline, oil, and fuel.

• Specific Banned Items: Paint cans, electronics, batteries, tires, refrigerators, and hot water tanks.

Because rules can vary, you should always check with your specific dumpster rental company for their guidelines if you are unsure about an item.

Remove household junk, construction debris, yard waste, and old appliances.

Yes, you can conduct your own leaf removal, but consider that keeping up with leaf removal is time-consuming and requires regular yard work throughout the fall. The process can take a few hours a week. Professionals have lawn equipment that can speed up the process and save you time. Additionally, consider how you’ll dispose of the leaves. If your sanitation company won’t pick them up—especially if you have many bags from a once-annual cleanup— you’ll have to drive the bags to the dump. It’s usually easier to leave the work and disposal to a professional leaf removal service.