How to Dispose of Dirt

Yard renovations, pool installations, and construction projects are just some of the undertakings that can leave you with excess fill dirt or topsoil. If you’re wondering how to dispose of dirt properly (and easily), keep reading to learn about dirt disposal options and regulations around dirt disposal.

Can I Throw Away Dirt?

Uncontaminated dirt is considered a type of construction and demolition waste and cannot be thrown away in the trash with household garbage.

The good news is there are several other ways that you can get rid of extra soil, including reusing your soil and dirt recycling. The best way to get rid of dirt depends on the amount and condition of your soil.

How Much Does Dirt Removal Cost?

The price of dirt removal is based on a few different factors, including the weight of the soil and the type of service you use. The weight of dirt is based on how moist it is. For example, a cubic yard of dry soil weighs almost a ton, but a wet cubic yard of soil will weigh almost 2 tons.

Additionally, the type of service you choose to handle your dirt removal affects the cost. Dumpster rentals will range from around 300 to 600 dollars, while a junk removal service will charge on average 250 to 600 for their services.

Estimating the weight of soil can be challenging, making budgeting difficult. Junk removal trucks usually have a maximum load capacity of 2 tons, which typically costs around $600. If the weight of your materials exceeds this limit, you'll need to schedule a second pickup, doubling your costs to $1,200.

On the other hand, renting a 10-yard roll-off dumpster offers a more cost-effective solution. The average cost for such a dumpster is around $400, and it often includes a weight limit of up to 10 tons. Large projects involving soil can be particularly tricky to estimate accurately, making it a better idea to rent a dirt dumpster or handle the hauling and disposal yourself.

What To Know Before Dirt Disposal

Before you attempt to get rid of your dirt, you should first:

1. Determine the soil type:

   Depending on where your dirt was taken from, it may have different types of debris mixed into it. Construction and demolition sites will typically have dirt with insulation, concrete chunks, sand, or other C&D waste mixed in. Soil from a garden will typically be clear of toxic substances and dirt from an excavation may have oil or other hazardous materials mixed into it.

2. Estimate the amount of soil for disposal:

   Dirt is surprisingly heavy, and its moisture contents change the weight. A dry cubic yard of dirt will weigh around 1 ton, while wet dirt will weigh double that.

This information is important to know before you start your disposal since certain disposal methods work better for different amounts and types of dirt debris.

Responsible Dirt Removal Options

Clean, contaminate-free dirt can be recycled, reused, and disposed of in many different ways, including:

Additional Dirt Removal Options

Online listings

Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are good places to list your leftover soil if you don’t have other uses for it. You can list your dirt for free or for a small price.

There also happen to be online marketplaces just for dirt, such as freedirt.com, clean-fill-wanted.com, and dirtfill.com. You may have to pay a small fee for a listing on these sites.

Haul it yourself

You always have the option to haul your leftover dirt to a landfill yourself. Many landfills accept uncontaminated waste such as soil from the general public, charging a fee per ton. You'll have to locate waste management facilities that accept dirt near you online. While self-dumping may work for smaller projects, larger quantities of dirt usually require a dumpster rental or junk removal service.

Place it curbside

The easiest way to get rid of a small amount of dirt is to place it on the sidewalk with a “free” sign. Passerbys may haul it away from your property for their own use. Before placing it on the curb, check with your city or homeowner’s association to make sure you’re allowed to leave items on the sidewalk in your neighborhood. Also, make sure to contain the dirt in bags or bins before you place it outside.

Finding Dirt Disposal Services Near You

The easiest way to find dirt disposal services near you is to do an online search. You will have to call to make sure dirt is accepted at a location, but you should be able to find a dirt disposal option near you. Look for dirt recycling centers, transfer stations, and landscaping supply companies. You can also call your local waste management facilities to ask them for assistance.

When to Hire Professionals for Dirt Removal

When you’re dealing with large quantities of dirt, hiring a professional for dirt disposal could save you time, sweat, and money. If you're dealing with contaminated dirt, it's required you let a hazardous waste specialist deal with your dirt debris.