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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Fort Wayne, IN
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Fort Wayne, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Fort Wayne
Home › By item › Yard waste › Fort Wayne
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Fort Wayne, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Fort Wayne
3
bulk items per appointment, scheduled 2 business days ahead through 311
Wrapped
mattresses and box springs must be fully wrapped in plastic
No Freon
refrigerators, freezers, and ACs are never collected curbside
Every route for yard waste in Fort Wayne, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Fort Wayne guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Fort Wayne, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Fort Wayne scheduled bulk trash pickup: yard waste
FreeYard waste is handled through the city's yard waste program (bagged leaf pickup in season and drop-off sites), not bulk pickup.
Who qualifies: Households with City of Fort Wayne solid waste service.
How to schedule: Schedule at least 2 business days before your garbage day through the 311 website (Solid Waste, then Bulk Trash Pickup), the 311 app, or by calling 311 (260-427-8311). Up to 3 bulk items per appointment, included in your monthly fee.
Limits: 3 bulk items per appointment. Mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped in plastic.
Set-out: At the curb by 6 a.m. on your garbage day, at least 3 feet from the cart so the truck arm clears it. Nothing is collected without a scheduled request.
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 Fort Wayne: 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 Fort Wayne: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Fort Wayne, Indiana (#83 nationally) is the largest city in Northeast Indiana and operates direct municipal Solid Waste Department service through Public Works. Distinctive features: bulk pickup is INCLUDED in the monthly solid waste fee (no per-pickup charges), requires scheduling at least 2 BUSINESS days ahead via 311, and mattresses/box springs MUST be completely wrapped in plastic (bags available at retail stores). Freon appliances are NOT picked up by the City, require a private hauler. The City uses a one-cart single-stream recycling system on A/B alternating weeks. Routes changed in December 2024, use the Garbage & Recycling Lookup at garbagerecyclelookup.cityoffortwayne.org. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Fort Wayne residents.
The Fort Wayne rule for yard waste: Yard waste is handled through the city's yard waste program (bagged leaf pickup in season and drop-off sites), not bulk pickup.
Program basics: 3 bulk items per appointment. Mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped in plastic. At the curb by 6 a.m. on your garbage day, at least 3 feet from the cart so the truck arm clears it. Nothing is collected without a scheduled request.
What the city will not take: Tires, batteries, concrete, remodeling debris, and any appliance containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, water coolers, dehumidifiers). Allen County's ACwastewatcher.org lists disposal options.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Fort Wayne Solid Waste: Bulk Items, City of Fort Wayne: Recycling Matters newsletter, Spring 2025 (bulk accepted 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.
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 Fort Wayne households needing Freon appliance disposal (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, water coolers, dehumidifiers, not in city pickup), service faster than 2 business days, in-home pickup, or large cleanouts, 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 Fort Wayne with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Fort Wayne proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Fort Wayne pick up yard waste for free?
Seasonal leaf pickup and city drop-off sites, not bulk pickup.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Fort Wayne?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Fort Wayne starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Fort Wayne households needing Freon appliance disposal (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, water coolers, dehumidifiers, not in city pickup), service faster than 2 business days, in-home pickup, or large cleanouts, 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 Fort Wayne page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Fort Wayne guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.