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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Norfolk, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Norfolk
12
free bulk collections a year, 3 cubic yards each, scheduled through 757-664-6510 or MyNorfolk
4
tires per collection day (12 a year), included in bulk pickup
Tue and Sat
free e-waste drop-off at the SPSA Norfolk Transfer Station, noon to 4 p.m.
Every route for yard waste in Norfolk, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Norfolk guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Norfolk, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Norfolk scheduled bulk waste collection: yard waste
FreeYard waste is collected on its own schedule in paper bags or bundles; large brush can be scheduled as bulk.
Who qualifies: Households with City of Norfolk Waste Management collection.
How to schedule: City code requires you to schedule before anything goes out: call Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510 (311) or use the MyNorfolk app. Standard bulk collections are free, limited to 3 cubic yards each and 12 per year; larger volumes are charged by the cubic yard.
Limits: 3 cubic yards per collection, 12 collections a year. Up to 4 tires per collection day and 12 per year, non-commercial sizes.
Set-out: At the curb as directed when you schedule, on the scheduled day, separate from carts. Glass sectioned and taped or boxed.
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 Norfolk: 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 Norfolk: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Norfolk, Virginia provides free curbside bulk waste pickup with a generous annual allowance: up to 12 bulk waste pickups per year, max 3 cubic yards per collection, by request through the MyNorfolk app, online portal, or Norfolk Cares phone line. Requests must be made by 3 PM the day prior to your trash collection day. Recycling is bi-weekly on the same day as trash. Up to 20 clear bags or bundles of yard waste are accepted per collection. Multi-family properties of 4 units or fewer are eligible for city service. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Norfolk residents.
The Norfolk rule for yard waste: Yard waste is collected on its own schedule in paper bags or bundles; large brush can be scheduled as bulk.
Program basics: 3 cubic yards per collection, 12 collections a year. Up to 4 tires per collection day and 12 per year, non-commercial sizes. At the curb as directed when you schedule, on the scheduled day, separate from carts. Glass sectioned and taped or boxed.
What the city will not take: Electronics (free at the SPSA Norfolk Transfer Station on Tuesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4), household hazardous waste, and construction debris.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Norfolk: How Do I Dispose Of (bulk waste, tires, e-waste), Norfolk City Code section 41-32 (bulk waste scheduling, 3 cubic yards, tires), via city rule summary. 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 Norfolk households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept, or service before the next bulk request slot, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Norfolk area 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 Norfolk with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Norfolk proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Norfolk 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 Norfolk: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Norfolk pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, on yard waste days bagged or bundled; large brush by scheduled bulk collection.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Norfolk?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Norfolk starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Norfolk households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept, or service before the next bulk request slot, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Norfolk area 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 Norfolk page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Norfolk guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.