How to Responsibly Dispose of Landscape Rocks?

Landscaping projects often leave homeowners with piles of rocks and gravel. This debris cannot just be tossed and thrown into the trash. Hence, proper disposal methods are required to ensure the rocks and gravel are thrown at the designated place. While smaller rocks and pebbles can be recycled or repurposed, larger chunks of rocks are challenging to get rid of and might end up cluttering your space.

So, it is important to look for efficient disposal options. Depending on the quantity of the waste, you should consider hiring a junk removal company or renting a dumpster. Knowing how to handle this waste helps homeowners make responsible decisions to avoid any potential environmental damage. In this article, we have discussed easy ways to dispose of landscape rocks in your yard.

Challenges When Disposing of Rock and Gravels

Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid trash are collected globally. Concerns regarding climatic changes and global warming make it important that waste items are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. However, there are a few challenges with the rock and gravel disposal. Some of them are as below -

• Construction may contain prohibited materials.

• Backyard gravel cannot be placed in municipal waste bins.

• Rocks and gravel may cost more in disposing of them due to their heavy weight.

• Big rocks can take up huge spaces and are challenging to maneuver, which may increase the risk of an accident.

Moreover, the surfaces of rocks and gravel may harbor organic debris and dirt, which could lead to allergies or infections.

How to Get Rid of Landscape Rocks?

Here are easy ways to dispose of landscape rocks -

Donate the Rocks

Donation is one of the best ways to dispose of landscaping rocks. No matter the size and quantity of the rocks, they can easily be donated. You can consider getting in touch with a few local landscaping companies and see if they'd like to accept the rock at no charge. You can also contact neighborhood beautification organizations that may use them for the next community project. Some companies may be willing to pick the rocks. However, in most cases, you'll have to deliver the rocks yourself.

Reuse Them

Instead of disposing of the rocks, you can repurpose them in several ways. These rocks can be used to enhance your own space. Here's how you can reuse them -

• Walkways - Add walkways to your garden by layering flat rocks. This enhances the aesthetic of the garden and makes it more accessible.

• Rock Gardens - Make use of group rover rocks and other stones of various rock sizes to create a rock garden. This makes an appealing area with minimal maintenance.

• Flower Beds And Borders - Reuse rocks to define the edge of the flower bed. This helps with soil retention, boosts aesthetic appeal, and prevents weeds.

• Fire Pits - Leftover landscape rocks can be used to create a cozy firepit. You can also stack the rocks around the pit to give it a rustic look.

You can also offer the rocks to local schools and community gardens. They mostly use these rocks in educational projects and to beautify public spaces. In addition, you can post on Freecycle, where you can offer the rocks for free to someone in need.

Sell the Rocks

If you have over-accumulated rocks in your yard, you can sell them and earn cash. Rocks and gravel are always in demand, which means if you post about selling them on online platforms, such as Facebook, Craiglist, etc.,  you can easily find a buyer. You can also get in touch with local gardening or landscaping groups who are willing to buy in bulk. It promotes resource and knowledge sharing. This also contributes to sustainable practices by encouraging the reuse of the leftover rocks.

Rent a Dumpster

The best option for disposing of large quantities of landscaping rocks is renting a dumpster. This is a preferred choice if you want to get rid of a lot of debris.  It is the most practical and efficient way to dispose of waste. This is because a pickup truck can hold only roughly a ton of material, whereas a roll-off dumpster can hold up to 10 tons. Simply choose a dumpster, select a delivery date, and dispose of rocks. The best part is that they pick up rocks and gravel.

Leave a "Free Sign"

Place your rocks outside your home in a visible location with a "FREE SIGN." This helps the passersby and neighbors to pick them up. However, before placing a sign, it is important to verify that you are permitted to leave a sign and rubbish outdoors beforehand if you're a member of a homeowners' association.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

If you have a huge amount of rock to dispose of and have no means to do it on your own, consider hiring a junk removal and disposal service. They can help you save your time and effort by properly removing and disposing of large materials. They will determine how much stuff has to be removed, give you a price quote, and arrange a pickup time. These services follow proper disposal protocols and techniques and adhere to environmental guidelines. Thus guaranteeing that the rocks are transported to the right location for recycling or disposal.

Take the Rock to the Landfill

Transporting the junk rocks to the dumping facility yourself is a hands-on approach. If driving yourself, consider using an open-air trailer or a truck bed. If you don't have one, it's advisable to rent one for a day and ensure it arrives beforehand. Always check with the local landfill if they're open to the public and accept rocks and gravel. Some county landfills offer free dumping once or twice a year. It is the best low-cost option for a small number of rocks. However, if you have rocks in large quantities, you may need to make multiple trips.

How Much Does Landscape Rock Removal and Disposal Cost?

The amount of rock you need to dispose of determines the cost of rock disposal. If you have a huge amount of rock, you can consider hiring a junk disposal company or renting a roll-off dumpster. To remove and dispose of the rock, they usually charge $450 - $650.

The final cost also depends on the complexity of the job. The labor-intensive projects that need larger trucks, excavators, and dumpsters may cost more. It also depends on the nearby debris removal, which adds up to the total costs.

There are also some free ways to dispose of the rocks and gravel. However, it is important to keep in mind that these techniques are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Here's the average cost of various rock disposal methods -

Conclusion

Landscaping rocks doesn't have to be a stressful and difficult task. There are several ways to ease the disposal of leftover landscaping rocks, and the smartest of all is to reuse them to beautify your front and backyard. You can also donate it or rent a truck to transport the landscaping rock debris to the facility to keep yours safe from damage.