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A public resource guide

Free yard waste removal in Corpus Christi, TX

Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Corpus Christi, verified October 2026.

Apartment courtyard with shared outdoor space Checked against Corpus Christi Solid Waste

Several

heavy brush and bulky collections a year per area, on the published schedule

6x10x6 ft

maximum pile, one truckload per household, brush separate from bulky

$2,000

per day maximum fine for setting out early or improperly

Every route for yard waste in Corpus Christi, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Corpus Christi guide covers every other item.

Free yard waste removal in Corpus Christi

Here is how each route works in Corpus Christi, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.

Corpus Christi heavy brush and bulky item collection: yard waste

Free, with a step first

Heavy brush (shrubs, limbs, bagged clippings, trimmings) is collected on the same schedule in its own separate pile within the 6 by 10 by 6 foot limit.

Who qualifies: Homes with City of Corpus Christi solid waste service.

How to schedule: No appointment. City crews collect heavy brush and bulky items several times a year on a published schedule by area. Set items out only during your authorized set-out period; collection starts the day after the last set-out date and continues until the route is done.

Limits: One truckload per household per scheduled collection. No pile larger than 6 feet high, 10 feet long, and 6 feet deep. Brush and bulky items in separate piles.

Set-out: Near the curb in the same spot as your carts, only during the authorized set-out window. Early or improper set-outs draw a Notice of Violation, fees up to $231, and fines up to $2,000 a day.

Read the full Corpus Christi city services guide ›

Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)

Free

Freemoval 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 Corpus Christi: 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 Corpus Christi: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.

For partners ›

How Corpus Christi handles yard waste

Corpus Christi, Texas (#63 nationally) is served by Solid Waste Services through City utility accounts. The City uses a 10-zone collection system with weekly trash and bi-weekly recycling, with brush and bulky pickup scheduled twice annually per zone on a rotating schedule. The J.C. Elliott Collection Center on Hwy 286 at Ayers handles transfer station drop-offs. Distinctive features: monthly Litter Critter drop-off events at rotating community locations (often schools), the $2 per bag extra trash sticker program for overflow, and curbside cooking oil recycling at the J.C. Elliott Collection Center. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Corpus Christi residents.

The Corpus Christi rule for yard waste: Heavy brush (shrubs, limbs, bagged clippings, trimmings) is collected on the same schedule in its own separate pile within the 6 by 10 by 6 foot limit.

Program basics: One truckload per household per scheduled collection. No pile larger than 6 feet high, 10 feet long, and 6 feet deep. Brush and bulky items in separate piles. Near the curb in the same spot as your carts, only during the authorized set-out window. Early or improper set-outs draw a Notice of Violation, fees up to $231, and fines up to $2,000 a day.

What the city will not take: Household hazardous waste, construction debris, tires, and mixed brush-and-bulky piles. The J.C. Elliott Transfer Station takes most of those from residents.

How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Corpus Christi Solid Waste Services: Heavy Brush and Bulky Items. 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.

Prep checklist before pickup day in Corpus Christi

  • Rake leaves and clippings into paper lawn bags or the green cart.
  • Cut branches to your city’s length limit and tie bundles under 40 to 50 pounds.
  • Separate dirt, rocks, sod, and stumps; they go to a transfer station or a free listing, not the curb.
  • Bag diseased plants and invasive weeds as your program directs.
  • Set out on your yard waste day within the weekly bag and bundle limit.

Three mistakes that get yard waste left at the curb:

  • Don't bag leaves in plastic where the program requires paper or carts. It is the most common reason yard waste is skipped.
  • Don't put branches out unbundled or over the length limit. Cut to 4 feet, tie, and keep bundles liftable.
  • Don't mix dirt, rocks, or sod into yard waste. They damage grinders and get the whole pile rejected.

Paid options cover stumps, large tree removals, and heavy loads of sod and soil.

Stump grinding

$100 to $400 per stump

Grinding 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 Corpus Christi households needing in-home pickup, immediate disposal that can’t wait for the next twice-annual brush/bulky window, hurricane recovery cleanouts, or service when crew labor is needed, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders for upfront-priced pickup.

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 Corpus Christi with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.

Yard waste rules in nearby cities

Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Corpus Christi proper, start with the guide for your own city:

See the Arlington guide.
Weekly green cart composting (commercial-temp facility accepts all food scraps including meat and bones).
Monthly bulk pickup (must be in paper bags, plastic bags rejected during brush-only months). Up to 10 cu yds counts toward monthly limit.
See the El Paso guide.
Weekly curbside on regular trash day. Drop-Off Station for excess.
Weekly brush pickup. Pieces 3-7 feet, stacked same direction, NOT mixed with bulky or trash.

Related guides: the complete Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.

Common questions about yard waste removal in Corpus Christi

Does Corpus Christi pick up yard waste for free?

Yes, as a separate heavy brush pile during your scheduled window.

How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Corpus Christi?

Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Corpus Christi starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Corpus Christi households needing in-home pickup, immediate disposal that can’t wait for the next twice-annual brush/bulky window, hurricane recovery cleanouts, or service when crew labor is needed, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders for upfront-priced pickup.

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 Corpus Christi page maintained?

Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Corpus Christi guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.

Fund a free pickup in Corpus Christi

Help cover someone else’s haul.

Most LoadUp customers fund Freemoval pickups by rounding up at checkout. If you’re not booking a paid pickup yourself but want to help, you can contribute directly, pooled with other donations to fund subsidized pickups in Corpus Christi at standard market rates, the same rates LoadUp charges any paying customer.

Choose a custom amount→

Freemoval is a social impact program of LoadUp Technologies, LLC. Contributions are not tax-deductible. 100% of contributions fund pickups at standard market rates, the same rates LoadUp charges any paying customer. No separate fundraising overhead is deducted from donations.