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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Cincinnati, OH
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Cincinnati, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Cincinnati
Home › By item › Yard waste › Cincinnati
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Cincinnati, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Cincinnati
5
bulk items per household per scheduled collection, through 311 or 311Cincy
Night before
earliest set-out; earlier draws an illegal set-out citation
4
tires per location by separate 311 request
Every route for yard waste in Cincinnati, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Cincinnati guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Cincinnati, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Cincinnati scheduled bulk item collection: yard waste
FreeYard waste is collected with regular trash in paper bags or bundles, not as bulk.
Who qualifies: Locations eligible for City of Cincinnati garbage collection (non-commercial). Buildings not eligible for city collection use a registered private hauler.
How to schedule: Schedule up to 5 bulk items per household through 311, 311Cincy.com, or the 311Cincy app. Collection comes on your regular day or a Friday. Tires are a separate 311 request, up to 4 per location.
Limits: 5 bulk items per scheduled collection; setting out more gets a citation. 4 tires per separate tire request.
Set-out: By the curb, ideally on the driveway apron, clear of wires, branches, and parked cars, and no earlier than the evening before. Early set-out is cited regardless of item count.
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 Cincinnati: 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 Cincinnati: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Cincinnati offers free scheduled bulk pickup through 311Cincy with up to 5 items per request, no per-year cap, just schedule and wait for your assigned date. Up to 3 small items can also go out with regular collection without scheduling. The system is simple and well-organized but has a hard rule: only properties meeting the “dwelling” definition (4 or fewer units) qualify. Buildings with 4+ units are commercial entities and must use private waste haulers. Cincinnati also has the unusual 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. previous evening set-out window. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Cincinnati rule for yard waste: Yard waste is collected with regular trash in paper bags or bundles, not as bulk.
Program basics: 5 bulk items per scheduled collection; setting out more gets a citation. 4 tires per separate tire request. By the curb, ideally on the driveway apron, clear of wires, branches, and parked cars, and no earlier than the evening before. Early set-out is cited regardless of item count.
What the city will not take: Household hazardous waste and construction debris. Refrigerant appliances and electronics have handling rules; ask 311 when scheduling.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Cincinnati Public Services: Bulk Item Collection. 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 who need same-day service, exceed 5 items per request during cleanouts, live in 5+ unit buildings (which are commercial under Cincinnati rules), or have items the city won’t take, LoadUp offers professional removal in Cincinnati with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
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 Cincinnati with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Cincinnati proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Cincinnati pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, with regular collection in paper bags or bundles.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Cincinnati?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Cincinnati starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who need same-day service, exceed 5 items per request during cleanouts, live in 5+ unit buildings (which are commercial under Cincinnati rules), or have items the city won’t take, LoadUp offers professional removal in Cincinnati with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
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 Cincinnati page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Cincinnati guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.