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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Mesa, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Mesa
$29+
per load for a scheduled bulk item pickup, scaling with volume
$31
trip charge if items are not out when the crew arrives
Free
Household Hazardous Materials facility for tires, electronics, and chemicals, Wed to Sat mornings
Every route for yard waste in Mesa, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Mesa guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Mesa, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Mesa bulk item pickup (fee-based, by appointment): yard waste
City pickup, from about $29 per loadBoxed or bagged small yard debris is accepted on a paid pickup, and Mesa offers a green yard waste barrel subscription for weekly service.
Who qualifies: Single-family homes with City of Mesa trash service. Mesa does not run a free scheduled bulk program; pickups are by appointment for a fee that starts around $29 per load and rises with volume.
How to schedule: Schedule online at mesaaz.gov or call 480-644-6789. Set items at the end of your driveway after 6 p.m. the night before and by 6 a.m. on the scheduled day; a $31 trip charge applies if the crew arrives and nothing is out. Appliances use a separate Appliance Recycling pickup (about $19 per appliance).
Limits: Bundled or single items over 60 pounds may be ineligible. Fees scale with load size.
Set-out: End of the driveway, not blocking the sidewalk, between 6 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on the day.
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 Mesa: 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 Mesa: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Mesa, Arizona is the 37th largest city in the U.S. and operates one of the more distinctive municipal waste programs in the Phoenix metro. Bulk pickup is fee-based, with paid load pickup at $29 per load for Mesa customers ($37.59 for non-Mesa), scheduled by appointment via (480) 644-6789. Mesa is unique among large U.S. cities for collecting trash, recycling, and yard waste on every holiday with no delays. Mesa also accepts glass curbside in the blue barrel, unlike Phoenix metro neighbors. The Household Hazardous Materials Facility at 2412 N. Center Street handles HHW free for Mesa residents Wed to Sat. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Mesa residents.
The Mesa rule for yard waste: Boxed or bagged small yard debris is accepted on a paid pickup, and Mesa offers a green yard waste barrel subscription for weekly service.
Program basics: Bundled or single items over 60 pounds may be ineligible. Fees scale with load size. End of the driveway, not blocking the sidewalk, between 6 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on the day.
What the city will not take: Appliances (including microwaves), construction and remodeling materials (cabinets, sinks, tubs, doors, lumber, tile, drywall), tires, hazardous waste, liquids, and items over 60 pounds.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Mesa: Bulk Item Collection Program. 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 Mesa households needing in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (construction debris, hazmat), or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multiple-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Phoenix metro 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 Mesa with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Mesa proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Mesa 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 Mesa: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Mesa pick up yard waste for free?
Boxed or bagged on a paid pickup, or subscribe to the green barrel.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Mesa?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Mesa starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Mesa households needing in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (construction debris, hazmat), or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multiple-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Phoenix metro 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 Mesa page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Mesa guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.