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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Cleveland, OH
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Cleveland, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Cleveland
Home › By item › Yard waste › Cleveland
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Cleveland, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Cleveland
3
bulk items per home, first full week of each month, requested through 311
4
passenger tires without rims per week by 311 request
4 free
Ridge Road Transfer Station drop-offs a year, 4 cubic yards each
Every route for yard waste in Cleveland, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Cleveland guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Cleveland, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Cleveland monthly bulk collection: yard waste
FreeYard waste is not bulk: each week you can set out up to 20 bags of yard waste and 20 bundles of brush with regular collection.
Who qualifies: Single-family and multi-family homes up to 4 units with City of Cleveland collection.
How to schedule: Up to 3 bulk items per home are collected on your regular day during the first full week of each month. Request the pickup through Cleveland 311 at least 24 to 48 hours before your collection day. Tires are a separate 311 request, up to 4 passenger tires without rims, on your regular day.
Limits: 3 bulk items per home per month. 4 tires per week by request. Residents also get 4 free drop-offs a year at the Ridge Road Transfer Station, 4 cubic yards each.
Set-out: Curbside by 6 a.m. on your collection day in bulk week, not leaning on or blocking the carts. Mattresses and cloth furniture must be wrapped in plastic. Appliances drained of coolant and fluids.
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 Cleveland: 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 Cleveland: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Cleveland’s waste system has an unusual structure: trash collection is weekly, but bulk pickup is only the first full week of each month, and recycling is opt-in. This page walks through every option in order from free to paid, with the specific Cleveland rules.
The Cleveland rule for yard waste: Yard waste is not bulk: each week you can set out up to 20 bags of yard waste and 20 bundles of brush with regular collection.
Program basics: 3 bulk items per home per month. 4 tires per week by request. Residents also get 4 free drop-offs a year at the Ridge Road Transfer Station, 4 cubic yards each. Curbside by 6 a.m. on your collection day in bulk week, not leaning on or blocking the carts. Mattresses and cloth furniture must be wrapped in plastic. Appliances drained of coolant and fluids.
What the city will not take: Plant material, hazardous waste, and anything that fits in the cart. Construction debris is not bulk waste.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Cleveland Public Works: Waste Collection (bulk guidelines), Cleveland 311: Schedule Bulk Pickup and Tire Pickup, City of Cleveland: Division of Waste Collection set-out guidelines. 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-week service, have construction debris not accepted by the city, or want a single professional pickup with loading included, LoadUp offers professional removal in Cleveland 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 Cleveland with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Cleveland proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Cleveland 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 Cleveland: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Cleveland pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, weekly, up to 20 bags and 20 bundles.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Cleveland?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Cleveland starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who need same-week service, have construction debris not accepted by the city, or want a single professional pickup with loading included, LoadUp offers professional removal in Cleveland 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 Cleveland page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Cleveland guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.