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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Indianapolis, IN
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Indianapolis, verified October 2026.
Checked against Indy DPW
Home › By item › Yard waste › Indianapolis
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Indianapolis, verified October 2026.
Checked against Indy DPW
2
heavy trash items per household per month, no appointment
7 a.m.
out next to your cart on your heavy trash day
317-327-4622
Mayor's Action Center to arrange a Freon appliance pickup
Every route for yard waste in Indianapolis, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Indianapolis guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Indianapolis, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Indianapolis monthly heavy trash collection: yard waste
FreeBundled limbs no more than 3 by 3 feet count as one heavy trash item each; bagged leaves count as one item per bag. Indy also offers a subscription yard waste cart.
Who qualifies: Marion County homes with city (Indy DPW) trash service. Larger apartment complexes use private haulers.
How to schedule: No appointment. Once a month, on your heavy trash day (look it up at indy.gov with your address), set up to 2 heavy items next to your cart. Appliances with Freon are the exception: call the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4622 to arrange that pickup.
Limits: Two heavy or bulky items per household per month. A bundle of limbs 3 by 3 feet counts as one item; a bag counts as one item.
Set-out: Next to your trash cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on your heavy trash day. Mattresses flat on the ground, not leaning. Items that are not acceptable get tagged with an explanation.
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 Indianapolis: 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 Indianapolis: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Indianapolis takes an unusual approach: up to 2 heavy trash items per week, every week, on your regular trash day, no scheduling required. The system is consistent and predictable, but the 2-item cap is tight for big cleanouts. Indianapolis is also one of the very few major U.S. cities where curbside recycling is a paid subscription service, not automatically included with trash. Big change as of January 2026: LRS became the citywide trash collector for former Republic and WM service areas. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Indianapolis rule for yard waste: Bundled limbs no more than 3 by 3 feet count as one heavy trash item each; bagged leaves count as one item per bag. Indy also offers a subscription yard waste cart.
Program basics: Two heavy or bulky items per household per month. A bundle of limbs 3 by 3 feet counts as one item; a bag counts as one item. Next to your trash cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on your heavy trash day. Mattresses flat on the ground, not leaning. Items that are not acceptable get tagged with an explanation.
What the city will not take: Electronics (illegal in the trash under Indiana law), loose tires (illegal in landfills), construction debris, and household hazardous waste. Appliances with Freon need a separate arranged pickup.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: Indy.gov: Find Your Trash Pickup Day (heavy trash rules), Indy.gov: Trash Cart Transition FAQs (heavy trash accepted items), Indy.gov: Recycling 101 (electronics and tire laws, ToxDrop). 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 the 2-heavy-items-per-week limit during a cleanout, can’t fit material in their weekly cart, or live in apartment buildings without included bulk service, LoadUp offers professional removal in Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Indianapolis proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Indianapolis pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, bundles 3 by 3 feet or bags, each counting as one of your 2 monthly items.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Indianapolis?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Indianapolis 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 the 2-heavy-items-per-week limit during a cleanout, can’t fit material in their weekly cart, or live in apartment buildings without included bulk service, LoadUp offers professional removal in Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Indianapolis guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.