How to Quickly Dispose of Leaves in Your Yard

Why Shouldn’t You Throw Leaves in the Landfill?

Bagging leaves and tossing them in the trash seems like the easiest path, but landfills are the last place your leaves should end up – and here’s why:

They create harmful gases

In landfills, leaves break down without oxygen, producing methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that is at least 28 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. This not only harms the environment but also adds to the growing problem of limited landfill space.

It’s a waste of nutrients

Leaves are packed with organic matter that can be reused to enrich soil, improve water retention, and support healthier plants. When they’re composted or mulched instead of trashed, those nutrients cycle back into the ecosystem instead of being lost forever.

How to Dispose of Leaves in Fairfax County, VA

The county offers several options for leaf disposal, allowing you to choose what works best for your yard and schedule:

1. Mulch or Compost at Home

You don’t always need bags to deal with yard waste. Mulching leaves with your mower lets them break down and feed your lawn naturally. Grasscycling (leaving grass clippings on the lawn) works the same way, saving you time, fertilizer, and landfill space. Composting is another option, turning leaves, clippings, and kitchen scraps into rich soil. These methods keep nutrients where they belong and cut down on waste!

2. Curbside Yard Waste Collection

Fairfax County does offer curbside yard waste pickup, but it comes with quite a few limitations, including strict bagging policies and pickup only running during certain months. For many homeowners, it can feel like more hassle than help.

3. Self-Haul to a Fairfax County Facility

If you’ve got more than a few bags of yard waste, you can haul leaves to the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex for a fee. While self-hauling gives you flexibility on timing, it does require loading, transporting, and unloading heavy bags on your own

4. Call in the Pros

Savvy homeowners are taking yard cleanup into their own hands, and choosing the convenience of professional removal. An expert waste removal service takes care of the heavy lifting with year-round reliability and zero heavy lifting.

For a flat monthly fee, single-family homes in Fairfax County get weekly garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup, with heavy-duty 96-gallon bins included at no extra cost. Simply bag or bundle your leaves, grass, or clippings in a paper bag, set them at the curb, and we’ll handle the rest, making sure everything is properly composted or disposed of.

Professional Yard Waste Removal in Fairfax County, VA

Keep your weekends free and your yard spotless with our hassle-free service. Sign up today and let Total Waste Removal take leaf cleanup off your to-do list!