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A public resource guide

Free yard waste removal in Newark, NJ

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

Apartment courtyard with shared outdoor space Checked against Newark DPW

1st or 2nd Wed

bulk collection by zone, twice a month citywide

10

bulk items per residence per collection day

973-733-3644

DPW appointment line for refrigerators and other white goods

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

Free yard waste removal in Newark

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

Newark zone bulk collection and appliance appointments: yard waste

Free

Leaves and yard waste are collected seasonally in bags on your trash day; check DPW's schedule.

Who qualifies: Residential properties with City of Newark DPW collection.

How to schedule: No appointment for furniture: bulk is collected twice a month by zone, Zone A on the 1st Wednesday and Zone B on the 2nd Wednesday. White goods (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners) are collected by appointment only through DPW at 973-733-3644.

Limits: 10 bulk items per residence per collection day. Anything beyond 10 must be removed by a private hauler the same day at the owner's expense.

Set-out: Curbside the evening before your zone's bulk Wednesday, not blocking the sidewalk.

Read the full Newark 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 Newark: 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 Newark: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.

For partners ›

How Newark handles yard waste

Newark runs a tightly enforced system that reflects the city’s ongoing fight against illegal dumping: monthly bulk collection by zone (Zone A on 1st Wednesday, Zone B on 2nd Wednesday), with a hard 10-item-per-property limit. Excess items result in $250-per-item fines starting at first offense, escalating to $450 and possible community service for repeat offenders. Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic before disposal by city ordinance to prevent infectious disease and bedbug spread. Trash is collected twice a week, an unusual frequency reflecting Newark’s urban density. White goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ACs) require a separate appointment via 973-733-4311. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.

The Newark rule for yard waste: Leaves and yard waste are collected seasonally in bags on your trash day; check DPW's schedule.

Program basics: 10 bulk items per residence per collection day. Anything beyond 10 must be removed by a private hauler the same day at the owner's expense. Curbside the evening before your zone's bulk Wednesday, not blocking the sidewalk.

What the city will not take: Construction debris, paint, drywall, roofing tiles and shingles. Electronics go to the DPW e-waste drop-off at 62 Frelinghuysen Ave.

How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: Newark Department of Public Works: Trash and Bulk Collection Schedule. 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 Newark

  • 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+

If your items are in usable condition and you’d prefer help coordinating a donation pickup rather than scheduling directly with Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, or a Furniture Bank, LoadUp can help facilitate donation logistics in Newark. The donation organization performs the actual pickup; LoadUp helps with scheduling and routing for usable items.

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.

What this is: Coordination assistance for donation-eligible items going to qualified 501(c)(3) recipients. Items must be in usable condition (no significant damage, stains, or pest history). Tax receipts come from the receiving donation organization.

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 Newark 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 Newark proper, start with the guide for your own city:

Separate scheduling pathway via Public Works. Brown paper bags or tied bundles per city specs.
See the Akron guide.
No curbside organics in Albuquerque. Goes in black trash cart, OR drop at a Convenience Center.
See the Allentown guide.
Green cart weekly under SB 1383 (food scraps including meat and dairy required). NOT in trash cart.
SWS organics cart subscription (call 907-343-6250). Anchorage Regional Landfill. Annual Christmas tree collection events.

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

Common questions about yard waste removal in Newark

Does Newark pick up yard waste for free?

Yes, seasonally, bagged on your trash day.

How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Newark?

Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Newark starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. If your items are in usable condition and you’d prefer help coordinating a donation pickup rather than scheduling directly with Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, or a Furniture Bank, LoadUp can help facilitate donation logistics in Newark. The donation organization performs the actual pickup; LoadUp helps with scheduling and routing for usable items.

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 Newark page maintained?

Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Newark 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 Newark

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 Newark 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.