Typical: mixed pile with bags and branches
A weekend yard cleanup often lands near 9–14.4 yd³ — brush volume can fill a container before weight does.
Volume: 9–14.4 cubic yards · Weight: 2,486–3,803 pounds · Suggestion: roll off dumpster (20 yd)
Yard Waste Planner
Estimate volume and weight for leaves, grass, brush, sod, and mixed yard cleanups.
Your plan will appear here
- Primary disposal recommendation
- Volume and weight ranges
- Pickup-load comparison
- Weight-limit warnings when they matter
Enter project details on the left, then calculate.
How to use this estimate
Results are ranges, not exact weights. Density, moisture, packing, and measurement accuracy all move the numbers. Use the recommendation as a planning starting point, then confirm local hauler rules and weight allowances.
Common mistakes
- Treating a single midpoint as an exact disposal quote
- Ignoring mortar beds, underlayment, or double flooring layers
- Mixing heavy masonry with light junk in one container
- Overloading a pickup bed past the vehicle placard rating
Worked examples
Computed with the same production formulas as the calculator above.
Heavy: wet sod strip-out
Sod and soil are weight-dominated; even a modest pile can trigger roll off dumpster or load splitting.
Volume: 7.9–12.6 cubic yards · Weight: 20,400–31,200 pounds · Suggestion: roll off dumpster (20 yd)
Assumptions at a glance
Last reviewed with the calculator formula set on 2026-07-23. Estimates stay range-based on purpose.
Key sources and methodology details
- Yard waste bulk density — Municipal organics planning factors. Reviewed 2026-07-22. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
- Light-duty pickup payload caution threshold — NHTSA / manufacturer GVWR guidance (generalized). Reviewed 2026-07-22. https://www.nhtsa.gov/
- Roll-off dumpster size and allowance banding — Industry roll-off product norms (10–40 yard). Reviewed 2026-07-22. https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-construction-and-demolition-materials
- Debris packing efficiency uncertainty — Evergreen Utility Factory methodology. Reviewed 2026-07-22. /methodology
Full portfolio methodology: Methodology