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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Baton Rouge, verified October 2026.
Checked against City-Parish Environmental Services
3
bulk items per week within 10 out-of-cart items, no appointment
4
car tires accepted at the curb as bulky recyclables
Free
North Landfill drop-off for parish residents with proof of residence
Every route for yard waste in Baton Rouge, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Baton Rouge guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Baton Rouge, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Baton Rouge weekly out-of-cart collection: yard waste
FreeBagged leaves and grass and bundled woody waste are collected weekly as out-of-cart items (within the 10-item total), separate from bulk.
Who qualifies: Residential service units in East Baton Rouge Parish with city-parish collection (Republic Services or Richard's Disposal depending on area).
How to schedule: No appointment. Out-of-cart waste is collected once a week on your out-of-cart day (look it up at brla.gov/mgs). Crews take up to 10 out-of-cart items per week, and no more than 3 of those can be bulk items. Anything extra waits for the next week or goes to the North Landfill, which is free for parish residents.
Limits: 10 out-of-cart items a week, 3 of them bulk. Up to 4 car tires. Bulk items should not be bagged.
Set-out: At the curb by 5 a.m. on your out-of-cart day, separate from yard waste and away from the carts.
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 Baton Rouge: 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 Baton Rouge: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Baton Rouge runs one of the more comprehensive municipal waste programs in the South: twice-weekly garbage collection plus a once-weekly out-of-cart pickup that handles bulk items, bagged leaves, and yard waste, all covered under the monthly solid waste fee of approximately $35.23. The out-of-cart service is the bulk pickup equivalent for most residents, requiring no separate appointment or fee. 2026 change: Parish DPW workers will no longer voluntarily pick up large woody waste piles after the prior arrangement expired without coverage; significant tree debris now requires self-haul to the North Landfill or private hauler. The North Landfill (16001 Samuels Rd, Zachary) offers free self-haul for East Baton Rouge Parish residents with proof of residency.
The Baton Rouge rule for yard waste: Bagged leaves and grass and bundled woody waste are collected weekly as out-of-cart items (within the 10-item total), separate from bulk.
Program basics: 10 out-of-cart items a week, 3 of them bulk. Up to 4 car tires. Bulk items should not be bagged. At the curb by 5 a.m. on your out-of-cart day, separate from yard waste and away from the carts.
What the city will not take: Construction, remodeling, and demolition debris, household hazardous waste, electronics, and commercial waste. Republic's hauler rules exclude appliances containing Freon from curbside pickup; the North Landfill takes them free.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish: Garbage Collection (out-of-cart rules), City-Parish: Residential Curbside Services (bulky recyclables, tires), East Baton Rouge Parish North Landfill rules and waste acceptance (February 2026). 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Baton Rouge proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Baton Rouge pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, weekly, bagged or bundled, within 10 out-of-cart items.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Baton Rouge?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Baton Rouge guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.