Above-ground pools and covers are different jobs
Taking down an above-ground pool is its own project. A cover by itself is a vinyl or polypropylene sheet, sometimes with a winch, springs, or water bags. Call the disposal site and ask whether pool covers are bulky trash and whether a cover full of leaves must be emptied first. Most attendants do not want a sodden leaf burrito in the bay. Do not put the cover in the yard-waste pile because of the leaves stuck to it. Shake the leaves into the organics stream only if that stream accepts loose leaves and you can do it without dumping the plastic in behind them. The plastic itself stays out of the brush. Do not burn a cover to get rid of it. If springs and metal anchors came with it, sort the metal for a scrap stop only after the yard says it wants those pieces.
Drain it where the water is allowed
A winter cover can hold a shocking volume of dirty water. Pump or siphon that water onto your own lawn or into a sanitary drain only if local rules allow the dirt and the chlorine level you actually have. A cover that held a concentrated chemical spill, a bucket of shock, or an unknown algaecide is not a lawn-watering project. That residue is household hazardous waste. Do not pour it into a storm drain and do not evaporate it on the driveway. After the water is out, let the sheet dry enough that you can roll it. A wet roll is a two-person lift and a leak in the truck. Bag heavy leaf mats that will not shake off, and put those bags in the trash if the organics program refuses contaminated leaves.
Roll, tape, and keep it from unrolling
Roll the cover tightly and tape the roll in several places so it cannot open in the bed. A loose cover will fill with wind. Strap the roll low. The winch and springs ride in a separate box if they are metal. At the site, unload the plastic in the bulky or construction bay you were assigned. Tell the attendant it is a pool cover so they do not send you to organics. If the roll is refused because it is still full of water, take it home, drain it, and come back. Do not cut it open on the tipping floor and let the water run across the bay.
Before you go
- Ask the site whether a drained pool cover is accepted as bulky plastic.
- Drain ordinary dirty water only where local rules allow, and keep chemicals out of storm drains.
- Roll and tape the sheet so it cannot unroll in the truck.
- Unload the plastic outside the organics pile and sort metal anchors only if scrap accepts them.
Dropping a water-filled cover on the yard-waste pile because leaves are stuck to the vinyl.
Questions people ask
Are solar rings the same as a winter cover?
They are still plastic discs. Deflate or stack them, ask the site if bulky plastic is accepted, and do not mix them into a brush load.
Can the metal springs go in the recycling cart?
No. A cart is for the small items your hauler lists. Ask a scrap yard whether springs and winches are accepted before you add them to a steel load.
Search Dumpmapper by ZIP code or city, then call the site before you load the truck. Hours and accepted materials change.