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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Allentown, PA
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Allentown, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Allentown
Home › By item › Yard waste › Allentown
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Allentown, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Allentown
1
bulk item per week on your second trash night, between 5 and 10 p.m.
$20
for a refrigerant appliance pickup by appointment at 610-437-8729 (other appliances free)
3 TVs
per year through the city's appointment-based electronics recycling, 1 per appointment
Every route for yard waste in Allentown, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Allentown guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Allentown, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Allentown second-night bulk item collection: yard waste
FreeCurbside yard waste is collected on your recycling night during the season, in paper bags or bundles.
Who qualifies: Residences with City of Allentown trash collection (twice-weekly service).
How to schedule: No appointment for one bulk item: on your second trash night of the week (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday night zones) set out one bulk item, or up to 40 pounds of contained construction material, between 5 and 10 p.m. Appliances and large metal items are a separate scheduled pickup: call 610-437-8729, $20 for refrigerant appliances, free for others.
Limits: One bulk item (or 40 pounds of contained construction material) per week on the second collection night. Appliance pickups by appointment.
Set-out: At the curb in front of your property between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on your second collection night. Containers back within 12 hours.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Allentown: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering yard waste, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Allentown: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Allentown, Pennsylvania includes bulk item pickup as part of twice-weekly trash collection at no separate fee, on the second collection night of the week. Set-out is between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, with up to 5 bags or 2 containers per collection night for regular trash plus bulk items alongside on the second night. The city changed waste haulers on June 1, 2025: J.P. Mascaro & Sons replaced the prior contractor. Collection nights and core service rules stayed the same, but yard waste shifted from weekly April through November to every other week year-round. Electronics and document shredding are by appointment at the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste, 641 S 10th St.
The Allentown rule for yard waste: Curbside yard waste is collected on your recycling night during the season, in paper bags or bundles.
Program basics: One bulk item (or 40 pounds of contained construction material) per week on the second collection night. Appliance pickups by appointment. At the curb in front of your property between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on your second collection night. Containers back within 12 hours.
What the city will not take: TVs, computers, and electronics (never at the curb; appointment-based electronics recycling, 1 TV per appointment and 3 a year), tires, auto parts, batteries, liquid paint, and hazardous waste.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Allentown: Trash and Recycling rules (2025 limits), City of Allentown: Trash limits (bulk item and appliance recycling). Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why yard waste are different from ordinary bulk. Bundling rules are where most yard waste gets skipped. Branches typically must be under 4 feet long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds, and limited to a number of bundles per week. Leaves go in paper bags or carts, not plastic, in most programs because the material is composted. Plastic bags of leaves are the most common curbside rejection.
Three mistakes that get yard waste left at the curb:
Paid options cover stumps, large tree removals, and heavy loads of sod and soil.
Stump grinding
$100 to $400 per stumpGrinding a stump in place to below grade is cheaper and easier than removing it. The grindings can be left as mulch or bagged as yard waste where the program allows wood chips.
Mark utilities first. Call 811 before grinding near service lines.
LoadUp paid yard waste pickup
$80+For households not eligible for free programs, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Allentown area. Upfront pricing, same-week scheduling, and licensed disposal handled for you.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your yard waste. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book yard waste pickup in Allentown with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Allentown proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Allentown junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national yard waste disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Allentown: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Allentown pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, on recycling night in season, in paper bags or bundles.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Allentown?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Allentown starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households not eligible for free programs, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Allentown area. Upfront pricing, same-week scheduling, and licensed disposal handled for you.
How do I put yard waste out for pickup?
Leaves and clippings in paper lawn bags or the green cart, not plastic. Branches cut to the length limit (usually 4 feet), under the diameter limit (usually 4 to 6 inches), tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds. Check your city’s weekly bundle limit and season in the directory below.
Why can’t I use plastic bags?
Because yard waste is composted or ground into mulch, and plastic contaminates the product. Most programs require paper bags or carts; a few accept plastic bags that crews empty and leave behind.
Which states ban yard waste from landfills?
More than 20 states ban some or all yard waste from landfills, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Delaware among others. That is why curbside programs are so common.
What do I do with a tree stump?
Grind it in place ($100 to $400), dig it out and take it to a transfer station as inert material, or list it free for someone who wants firewood or a planter. Most curbside programs exclude stumps and root balls.
Is this Allentown page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Allentown guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.