How To Get Rid of Clay Soil for Free (Without a Dump Truck)

The Problem: Piles of Clay With Nowhere to Go

In many neighborhoods—mine included—the native soil is brick-hard clay. When you renovate beds and remove that soil, it’s tempting to pile it in the yard “for later.” Years pass, and you’re stuck with an unsightly mound.

Hauling services can be expensive. I wanted a method that’s cheap, simple, and uses what I already have.

The Simple Solution: Use Your Weekly Garbage Pickup

Instead of paying for a haul, I dispose of clay gradually by placing a measured amount into my household garbage bin each week—well under the bin’s rated weight. Over time, this clears a surprising amount of soil for free.

Know Your Bin’s Rating (ANSI Z245.60)

Many curbside containers list an ANSI spec number. Mine shows ANSI Z245.60, a standard for waste containers and compatibility dimensions. The label on my 96-gallon bin states a maximum load of 335 lb. Your bin may differ—check the printed label.

Note: Always follow your local hauler’s rules. Some municipalities prohibit soil in trash or set lower limits. This article shows the engineering approach; you must comply with your local regulations.

Moisture Matters: Wet Clay Can Be Nearly Twice as Heavy

Clay holds a lot of water. A 5-gallon sample can vary dramatically in weight depending on moisture. That’s why I measure moisture content before loading the bin.

The Weekly Disposal Plan (With Safety Margin)

Because the household bin also carries regular trash, I keep a comfortable margin below the maximum to protect the truck’s lift and avoid service refusals.

• My bin rating: 335 lb maximum load (check your label).
• Chosen soil load: about 10 gallons of clay per week.
• Rationale: ~10 gallons keeps me around ~165 lb of soil, roughly half the rated load, leaving room for regular trash and moisture swings.

Results: How Much Clay Can You Remove in a Year?

Numbers shown are based on my measurements and safety margin. Your totals will vary with moisture, soil composition, and local rules.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Confirm bin rating: Find the weight limit printed on your container (often near the hinge or on the side). Note any local restrictions on soil disposal.
2. Measure your soil: Use a dielectric moisture sensor (e.g., VG-METER-200) and a 5-gal weigh test to understand your pounds-per-gallon.
3. Pick a safe weekly volume: Choose a load well under the bin’s max (I use ~10 gallons).
4. Mark your wheelbarrow: Add a 10-gal line for quick repeats.
5. Load evenly and keep the lid closed: Even distribution protects the container and lifter; closed lids prevent service issues.
6. Monitor and adjust: If the soil is very wet one week, cut back; if it’s dry and light, you may add a little—always within your limits and rules.

FAQs and Notes

Is soil allowed in residential trash? It depends. Some haulers prohibit soil, some allow small amounts. Always check your municipality and hauler rules first.

Why not just fill to the rim? Weight, not volume, is the limiting factor—especially for clay. Overweight bins can be refused or damage the truck.

What about erosion or reuse? If allowed, consider repurposing clean clay for berms or grading, or offer it locally (again, check regulations).

About the Author

I’m Tim, an electrical engineer who applies engineering principles to gardening. If you like practical methods backed by measurements, you’ll feel right at home here.