Where to Dump Yard Waste, Brush and Branches

Updated 2026-09-25. General guidance only: local rules vary, so check with your county or the facility.

Show yard waste / compost + landfills / dumps + transfer stations on the map

Branches, leaves, grass clippings and brush are some of the easiest things to get rid of the right way, because they can be turned back into compost and mulch. Many states restrict yard waste in regular landfills, so there's usually a separate path for it.

Where yard waste usually goes

Curbside yard waste collection. Many cities collect leaves, grass and small brush seasonally, often in paper yard bags or a separate cart. Plastic bags are commonly refused.

Compost facilities. Municipal and private compost sites accept yard waste, sometimes for free for residents and sometimes by the load or by weight. Many sell or give away finished compost and mulch.

Transfer stations and convenience centers. Many have a separate yard-waste pile or container.

Landfills. Some landfills accept yard waste in a separate area for composting or mulching. Others can't take it at all.

Chipping and brush events. Some towns hold seasonal brush pickup or chipping days, especially after storms.

On Dumpmapper, the Yard/compost chip shows sites our sources list for yard waste or compost.

Keep it clean

Compost sites are strict about contamination because anything that isn't plant material ends up in someone's garden. Commonly refused items:

Plastic bags (empty paper or loose loads are preferred)
Trash, rocks, dirt and sod (rules vary; some sites take sod or soil separately)
Treated, painted or stained lumber
Pet waste
Stumps or very large logs (some sites take these separately)

Invasive plants and diseased material may have special rules. Some areas ask that invasive species be bagged and sent to a landfill instead of composted, so they don't spread.

Size limits

Many sites limit branch diameter and length. Cutting brush to a manageable length and bundling it with twine makes loading, unloading and curbside pickup easier.

Composting at home

The cheapest option is often to keep yard waste at home. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn returns nutrients to the soil. Leaves can be shredded with a mower and used as mulch, or composted in a simple bin or pile.

Hauling tips

Loose leaves and clippings are light, but they blow around. Tarp every load.
Wet grass is surprisingly heavy and can start to heat up and smell within a day or two, so haul it promptly.
Brush sticks out of truck beds; flag long pieces and don't overload.

Estimate a truckload with the dump cost calculator, or show yard waste and compost sites on the map.

Find a place near you

Open the map with yard waste / compost + landfills / dumps + transfer stations switched on, or only show listings that mention yard waste / brush (fewer results, because most listings don't list materials). You can also estimate weight and cost with the dump cost calculator.