Get Rid of Unwanted Soil: Discover Free and Budget-Friendly Options

When it comes to disposing of soil—whether it's garden soil, topsoil, or simple dirt—there are a few options available nearby. However, before you proceed, it's crucial to understand what kind of soil you're dealing with.

Know Your Soil First:

While it might seem simple, soil disposal requires knowing what counts as soil or dirt. To be considered soil waste, it must be free from contaminants, pollutants, or other types of rubbish. It should be purely soil or dirt without any other waste mixed in.

Once you've identified the type of soil, you have a couple of ideal disposal options. Each solution offers a tailored approach to fit your specific needs.

Note: If you suspect your soil is contaminated with hazardous materials, it's crucial to hire professionals who can safely handle and dispose of it.

Clean Fill – Easy to Reuse or Get Rid Of

Clean fill is soil or other stuff, like sand, gravel, or stones, that doesn't have any nasty stuff in it. It's often used to fill in holes, make the ground higher, or as a base for building things. Because it's safe, clean fill can be used again or thrown away without needing special permission.

Garden Soil – Free to a Good Home!

Garden soil is really good for growing plants because it has lots of stuff that helps them grow. It's got a nice texture and is good at letting water drain away, so plants can stay healthy. Garden soil is often mixed with other things like compost, peat moss, or manure to make it even better.

Top Soil – The Garden’s Gold!

Topsoil is the best part of the soil, like the cream on a cake. It's the top layer, and it's full of good stuff that helps plants grow. Topsoil is like a superfood for plants, giving them all the nutrients and little helpers they need. People often buy it in big bags to use in their gardens to make their plants happy and healthy.

Excavation Soil – A Challenge to Get Rid Of

Excavation soil is left over from building or gardening work. It's a mix of different kinds of soil, rocks, and other stuff. Depending on what's in it, it might be used again where it was dug up or need to be taken away. If it came from a factory or business area, it might need to be checked for bad stuff.

Rubble – It’s Not Soil

Rubble consists of broken pieces of concrete, bricks, stones, and other construction debris. While not soil, it’s often mixed in with soil in demolition or construction sites. Rubble can sometimes be recycled and used as a base material for roads, driveways, or other construction projects.

Dirt – Not the Best for Gardens

Dirt is just a word for soil that isn't very good. It doesn't have much of the stuff plants need to grow. It's often a mix of sand, silt, and clay, and needs to be made better with things like compost to help plants grow well.

Contaminated Soil – A Serious Problem

This soil has been ruined by bad stuff like heavy metals, chemicals, or oil. Contaminated soil can be bad for the environment and your health, so it needs special testing, handling, and getting rid of. It's often found near factories, old gas stations, or places where too much poison has been used.

Free or Low-Cost Ways to Get Rid of Soil

Disclaimer: The cheapest method often involves the most effort and might not be suitable for everyone.

Give It Away with Direct Home Delivery

Soil can be messy, and transporting it in a car or van isn't ideal. Many people who need soil might not have a vehicle with a tow-bar for a trailer. If you can, consider making it easier to declutter your space by delivering it directly. Load the soil into your trailer and drop it off at their home. How much effort you put in is up to you. Tipping trucks are best for unloading. Since loading soil with a shovel into a trailer can be a big job, you might even ask the recipient to come to your place to help load it.

The following images show that some people offer free delivery to get rid of their soil, while others ask those who want the soil to collect it themselves.

Sell on TradeMe for Free!

People often list their excess soil on TradeMe and Facebook Marketplace as "Free Soil." The issue is that if you have more than a trailer load, most people can’t easily pick it up. A good approach is to let them take as much as they can. They might show up with a few buckets and transport the soil in their car. Over time, you’ll gradually get rid of the soil this way. They may use it for flowerpots or other small projects. Make sure the soil is easy to access to attract more takers.

In the following image, you can see the seller promoting the idea of "take as much or as little as you want.

Tap into Local FB Groups for Interested Takers

It might seem like a long shot, but you’d be surprised how many people are looking for soil. It’s not just homeowners working on their gardens; you might find local landscapers who need soil, too. This helps them save money while you get rid of your soil for free!

Use local Facebook groups to extend your reach and connect with potential takers nearby. People are always on the lookout for free items, so craft an engaging post with a catchy title like "Free Soil" or "Free Soil and a Box of Beers!" to grab attention.

Remember, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Advertise locally or post on social media to see if anyone needs some free soil.

In the following images, you can see someone asking for free soil in one community, while simultaneously, in another Facebook community, someone is offering free soil to be taken away and even offering a box of beers to anyone willing to take the whole lot.

Consider using a "First come, first served" approach. Instead of inviting strangers into your home, you might place the soil on your driveway or curbside for easy pickup. This method is simple, effective, and keeps the process smooth and secure.

Reuse On Your Property

Before disposing of your soil, think about whether you have any other projects that could benefit from it. Reusing soil can save you from having to get rid of it, buying more for new projects, and it's a more environmentally friendly option than disposal.

Repurposing: If you have space, use the soil to:

• Build Raised Beds: Create raised garden beds for growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers. This can help with drainage and soil quality.
  
• Fill in Low Areas: Use the soil to level out uneven patches in your garden.
  
• Improve Your Lawn: Spread the soil over your lawn to help with soil quality and growth.
  

Composting: If the soil is rich in organic matter, consider adding it to your compost pile. This can improve your compost and benefit your garden.

Other Uses:

• Flatten Out Your Lawn: Spread the soil to smooth out uneven areas.
  
• Create a Vegetable Patch: Use the soil to build a new vegetable garden.
  
• New Flower Patch: Use the soil for new flower beds or potted plants, both indoors and outdoors.
  

There are countless gardening and DIY projects where you can put your soil to good use!

Contaminated Soil Removal

If you suspect your soil is contaminated with hazardous materials, it's crucial to hire professionals who can safely handle and dispose of it.

In New Zealand, you have several options for dealing with contaminated soil:

1. Local Council: Contact your local council or territorial authority. They can provide guidance on waste disposal and may have specific procedures for handling contaminated soil. A list of council websites and a map can be found at https://www.lgnz.co.nz/local-government-in-nz/councils-in-aotearoa/council-websites-and-maps/
2. Waste Management Companies: Companies like Waste Management NZ or EnviroWaste offer hazardous waste disposal services and can help with contaminated soil.
   
3. Health and Safety New Zealand: For more information on handling and disposing of hazardous materials, you can consult WorkSafe New Zealand.
   

Make sure to provide details about the type and extent of contamination when contacting these organisations.

Free Soil Dumping Doesn’t Exist

Unfortunately, there are no legal, free options for dumping soil in New Zealand. For responsible soil disposal, consider the following options:

Council-managed facilities: Many councils have waste disposal sites that accept soil. There’s usually a fee, but this ensures the soil is handled and disposed of correctly.

Skip hire – but be aware of potential hidden issues: For disposing of large amounts of soil, hiring a skip can be a convenient solution. Ensure that the skip hire company accepts soil and adheres to environmental regulations. However, while the process may seem straightforward, there are several factors to consider beyond the initial cost:

• Regulations and Restrictions: Some companies may have restrictions on what can be placed in the skip. For example, they might not accept soil mixed with other waste types or contaminated soil. Check the company's policies to avoid additional charges or issues.
  
• Additional Charges: Be aware of potential extra charges for overfilling the skip, keeping it longer than agreed, or disposing of materials that are not included in the standard fee.
  
• Environmental Practices: Not all skip hire companies follow best practices for recycling or disposal. Make sure the company you choose has a good reputation for environmental responsibility.
  
• Access and Delivery: Ensure the skip can be delivered and collected easily from your property. Check for any access issues or delivery restrictions.
  

By considering these factors, you can make a more informed decision about using skip hire for soil disposal and avoid any surprises. If you don't have the manpower to fill a skip or if it's not the right fit for your needs, the next solution to consider is hire a local helper.

Finding a Local Helper for Small-Scale Soil Removal

For a hassle-free option, you can arrange for your soil to be professionally removed for a fee. Although this comes at a cost, it provides convenience and efficiency, saving you the effort of arranging drop-offs or coordinating pickups.

If you have a small amount of leftover soil from a gardening project or home renovation, you're not alone! Many people end up with excess soil that just takes up space. Instead of handling it yourself, consider finding a local individual or organisation that might need it.

Post it on Ezy Peazy to Find a Local Helper!

It only takes a few clicks for you to post your soil removal task requirements on Ezy Peazy. Add your location, budget, and preferred time and wait for the offers. Select your preferred tasker for the job and they will pick up your soil from wherever it needs collecting and delivering. It’s that easy with Ezy Peazy!

In the image below, a local removalist, hired via Ezy Peazy, is clearing garden patches, removing the soil, and levelling the surface.

Some Common Questions People Ask

Can I use a skip for soil mixed with other waste?

You generally cannot use a skip for soil mixed with other types of waste, as most skip hire companies require soil to be separated from other materials. Mixed waste can lead to additional charges or complications with disposal. It’s best to check with the skip hire company for their specific guidelines and ensure you follow their rules to avoid extra fees.

How much does it cost to hire a skip for soil disposal?

The cost of hiring a skip for soil disposal can vary depending on several factors:

• Skip Size: Larger skips will generally cost more.
  
• Rental Duration: Longer rental periods may result in higher costs.
  
• Soil Type: Contaminated soil or hazardous materials may require specialised handling and disposal, which can increase costs.
  
• Location: Costs can vary based on your location within the country.
  
• Company: Different skip hire companies may have varying pricing structures.
  

How can I find a clean fill disposal near me?

Use Google and type in something like "clean fill disposal near me" or "clean fill sites [your location]" (without the quotes). This can lead you to local facilities that accept clean fill.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the variety of free removal options provides flexibility for disposing of your soil. The key is to assess the type and quantity of soil you have and choose the method that best suits your needs. Whether it’s giving it away for free, repurposing it on your property, or hiring professionals for contaminated soil removal, each option has its advantages. By considering the nature of your soil and the associated requirements, you can make an informed decision, ensuring a smooth and responsible process for soil disposal.

Option 1: Give It Away with Free Local Delivery

Option 2: Offer It on TradeMe for Free

Option 3: Post in Local Facebook Groups to Find Interested Takeaways

Option 4: Reuse It for Landscaping or Other Projects

Option 5: Hire Professionals for Contaminated Soil Removal

Option 6: Dispose of Soil at Local Transfer Stations

Option 7: Hire a Skip for Larger Quantities

Option 8: Find a Local Helper via Ezy Peazy