The Cheapest Ways to Get Rid of Garden Waste Quick

Are you looking for the cheapest way to get rid of garden waste? It always seems like you’re fighting a losing battle against lawn clippings, twigs, branches, and leaves. As soon as you finally get rid of the last lot, you’ve got a pile of it to take care of again. 

So, wouldn’t it help if you had some contacts and know-how to ensure it’s never a problem in the future? And, wouldn’t it help if it was affordable? It’s actually easier than you think to take care of green waste and garden waste in New Zealand.

Try your hand at composting

Many of us are fortunate here in Aotearoa to have fairly sizeable yards. The further out of the main centres you get, the larger they tend to be. So, there’s every reason to believe there’s room on your sprawling lawn for a compost bin. These magical bins and boxes can end up being the cheapest way to get rid of your garden waste – and much, much more.

All manner of natural and produced goods can break down when taken care of and established correctly. Build up around one cubic metre of composting materials and make sure everything you put in there is in small pieces and layered.

Grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, sawdust, straw, hay, weeds (except perennial weeds and seed heads that grow from roots and stems), and wood shavings can all make excellent compost. Essentially, if it was once alive, it can break down. 

You can even add fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags, eggshells, and coffee grounds. However, avoid citrus skins, glossy printed cardboard, bones, and meat.

Once you’ve got your compost established, there’ll be no need to worry about how you’re going to get rid of lawn clippings, leaves, and other garden waste products.

Give it to your gardens and lawns

Much of what you remove from your gardens and lawns can go back into it – within reason. If you haven’t let your lawns grow too long, consider mowing without the catcher. By doing so, you can provide an even layer of lawn clippings that break down and release nutrients back into the lawn. 

The same rule applies to dead leaves. You can rake them into the soil underneath your trees where they will break down quickly.

Make mulch

If you don’t like the idea of leaving a pile of leaves under your trees or clippings on your lawn, then make mulch. While you can buy commercial mulch containing pea straw and bark, it’s equally as easy (and more affordable) to make your own. Even those without green fingers will find the process easy.

Shredded leaves, grass clippings, newspaper, bark, straw, and hay, can all come in handy for this process, while also saving you green waste dumping fees. Mulching is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get rid of garden waste.

Cut up wood for fires

If you’ve dabbled in a bit of tree trimming in your spare time, then you may be wondering what you can do with all the tree branches. While you could spend money on dumping them at an appropriate facility, you can actually make use of them at home.

If you have a wood burner that complies with the Government’s air pollution standards, then your tree branches can become a handy source of fuel. Chop them up to an appropriate size then wait for them to dry. Never attempt to burn green wood in an indoor fireplace. While you might be waiting some time, having small branches for firewood can prove convenient during the coldest months of the year.

Council green waste disposal centres

While this isn’t always the cheapest way to get rid of garden waste, it can be a popular option for many people. What’s more, the price tag for green waste disposal in NZ can be quite affordable, depending on where you live.

For example, in Gore, Southland, you can get rid of green waste for free at the town’s transfer station. Other towns and cities countrywide also adopt competitive rates to ensure people dispose of it appropriately. 

Give it to friends and family

If you don’t have any need for compost, mulch, or firewood, then what are you supposed to do with your green waste? You probably want the cheapest way to get rid of garden waste, and that’s where your friends and family come in. 

Avid gardeners in your life may love the chance to take mulch products and clippings off your hands. You never know until you ask.

Let the lawn care experts take care of it

If you rely on a lawn care company to mow your lawns and maintain your yard, then you may also be able to add green waste removal into the mix. Many lawn mowing companies in NZ will take away your lawn clippings and other natural products as part of their service. Why not get in touch with your local lawn mowing service provider and find out how they can help?