How do you dispose of root material?

I am in a crowded suburban neighborhood where neighbors are no more than 10 feet away. It is a new subdivision, so there have been many dumpsters in place. I have always taken my root balls and dumped them in construction site dumpsters. I recently read in the neighborhood newsletter that they are cracking down on illegal dumping in these private dumpsters and have decided this is no longer a good idea at all. I of course never dumped anything with them that could be traced back to me, but now I don't even feel comfortable driving over there with them in my truck.

I then tried to dispose of them in the curbside pick-up of yard waste. Let me tell you are garbage men are complete assholes. The first run I did of this I walked it out as they drove up to make sure everything went smooth. They actually started tearing open my bags in the middle of the street to make sure there was nothing in there that wasn't yard waste... Possibly because the bags were heavy and awkward? He tossed them in the truck and proceeded on down the street, knowing it was some kind of yard waste, but obviously not knowing it was a marijuana root ball. I am not comfortable with this happening all the time either, especially since I can't always be home to wait on the garbage men.

My last thought is, I have a fire pit. If I dry out the root balls and bang off all the dirt (coco-coir actually) into a garbage bag can I burn the roots in my fire pit that is in my fenced backyard? They neighbors are really close so my concern with this is will the roots emit any kind of marijuana like odor? I would then dispose of the dirt with my curbside yard waste as it's just dirt.

Thanks for everyone's input!

is there a woods nearby dump em there, i would just leave it out for the garbage man
i doubt he will know or care what kinda plant it was

gogsyc said:

is there a woods nearby dump em there, i would just leave it out for the garbage man
i doubt he will know or care what kinda plant it was

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I really don't want to illegally dump anything around here.. the cops are getting crazy about that.

maybe dry and try burn, idk is it considred illegal dumping putting some soil/roots back in the forest.
i usually get prepaid cards for these dumpsters u put in a code it allows u to put in 2 large garbage bags.

Why don't you just bury them in your backyard when you are doing some work out there... They'll make good compost too! Or you can pretend you are planting something there and dig a hole to put it in, then plant some roses or strawberries (lol they'd be nice for the munchies too...lol) on top of it.. If they don't take the neighbours will probably think you are a shity gardener!!! Or buy a compost bin and throw them in there along with food waste, mowered grass and anything else that would turn to compost!

let them dry out in the sun for several weeks. then scatter them on your yard.

then if their is still root mass to deal with it will be dried enough to burn to ash easy.

if prisoners of war can dig an escape tunnel to freedom, I'm sure you can figure this out.

Buy a $99 dollar composter from the local Nursery, Hone Depot or make one yourself. All that root material is very beneficial to making new soil, and you are just throwing it away. Even if you run hydro, etc, you can always use the composted soil for house plants, outdoor garden or even donate to a community garden. Why are we such a 'throw away' world? Becuase nobody understands the value of life anymore.

If your garbage man can identify a plant just by a root-ball, then he is in the wrong line of work. haha I'd say burying them in your back yard is a good choice. Seems a waste to throw all that plant material away.

The fire pit sounds like it might be workable, you have to ask though, will people wonder what you are burning? Is their enough garden around etc to merit the need of regular burnings? Try burning a small amount of the stuff to check the smell. If I could burn my rootballs in private I certainly would. Pesky rootballs.

It's a TINY backyard. Space to bury or compost is really not available. I have a back porch and a strip of grass that is about 40'x20' with privacy fence all around. We use the fire pit just as one would a fireplace for its aesthetic value, just to sit around and have a drink all the time anyways.

I take mine to the dump

most convienent stores have trashcan out front....drop off, go in get your mornin coffee...peace

I burn all my stuff. I dont remember root balls making to bad of a smell its the stems you have to worry about but those burn up fast.

I load all my root balls, which are in hydroton (heavy as fuck) in double bagged construction bags. Then I just go to an apartment complex in the morning when no one notices anything and throw all the bags in their dumpster. Never had a problem.

Dumping waste can be a pain...I'd let it dry as mentioned or bury it. Compost is the best idea but if you don't have that option u gotta get creative. Break it down into more manageable sized chunks and dump it in a bush somewhere it isn't going to be noticed?

Just go dig a whole and throw them balls in there. That simple dont need a big yard. And its the easyest way without having the risk of being pulled over with strange roots balls in your truck dumping the shit at a Job Site/Walmart Dumpster or were ever... lol who does that? Just bury it ...........................

lol A apartment complex.. a thats actualy not a bad idea. So long as they dont pull you over with all that shit. You might have to be able to talk your way outa that one.... Good Luck. Bury it

highasfvck said:

It's a TINY backyard. Space to bury or compost is really not available. I have a back porch and a strip of grass that is about 40'x20' with privacy fence all around. We use the fire pit just as one would a fireplace for its aesthetic value, just to sit around and have a drink all the time anyways.

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If the people living around you are used to you having a fire going sounds like should have no troubles buring them. The ash will provide nutrients to the soil so its not all wasted

MysticMorris said:

If the people living around you are used to you having a fire going sounds like should have no troubles buring them. The ash will provide nutrients to the soil so its not all wasted

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Will roots smell?

Trash can, water, some microbes and a bubbler.