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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Pittsburgh, verified October 2026.
Checked against Pittsburgh Environmental Services
2
bulk items per household per week with regular refuse, no appointment
6 a.m.
out by this time, no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before
2 tires
per resident per day, rims off, free at the Public Works division drop-offs
Every route for yard waste in Pittsburgh, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Pittsburgh guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Pittsburgh, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Pittsburgh weekly bulk item pickup: yard waste
FreeYard debris goes out on the city's yard waste collection days in paper bags with branches bundled, or free at a division drop-off.
Who qualifies: Households with City of Pittsburgh refuse collection.
How to schedule: No appointment. Each dwelling may set out 2 bulk items per week with regular refuse. Excess bulky loads can be collected for a fee through 311.
Limits: 2 bulk items per household per week. Bags and bins under 35 pounds.
Set-out: Curbside after 6 p.m. the evening before and by 6 a.m. on collection day; containers back in by 10 p.m.
Public Works division drop-offs: yard waste
FreeYard waste accepted.
Where: East End: 6814 Hamilton Ave. Hazelwood: 40 Melanchton St. (plus the 5th Division)
How it works: City residents: curbside recyclables, yard waste, scrap metal, and up to 2 tires per day with rims removed, free. No electronics or hazardous waste.
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 Pittsburgh: 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 Pittsburgh: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Pittsburgh runs one of the simplest bulk pickup systems of any major U.S. city: 2 large items per household per week, on your regular trash day, no scheduling required. The trade-off is a strict 35-pound or 35-gallon limit per individual bag or bin, the official mailer compares it to the size of a medium pet food bag. Pittsburgh also runs the unusual two-Saturdays-per-year yard waste collection (April 25 and November 7, 2026 only). New for 2026: specific lid rules, remove lids from glass and plastic bottles, but leave them ON for metal cans. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Pittsburgh rule for yard waste: Yard debris goes out on the city's yard waste collection days in paper bags with branches bundled, or free at a division drop-off.
Program basics: 2 bulk items per household per week. Bags and bins under 35 pounds. Curbside after 6 p.m. the evening before and by 6 a.m. on collection day; containers back in by 10 p.m.
What the city will not take: Tires, auto parts, electronics and TVs, Freon appliances, household hazardous waste, and construction debris. In 2026 the city routes electronics, chemicals, batteries, and small Freon appliances through a vendor, Noble Environmental, with pre-registration and fees.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Pittsburgh Environmental Services: 2026 recycling and refuse mailer (bulk rules), City of Pittsburgh: Recycling drop-off locations (tires and scrap metal). 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 2-per-week bulk limits during cleanouts, have items the city won’t take, or live in larger apartment buildings, LoadUp offers professional removal in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Pittsburgh proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Pittsburgh pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, on yard waste days in paper bags, or free at a division drop-off.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Pittsburgh?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Pittsburgh 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 2-per-week bulk limits during cleanouts, have items the city won’t take, or live in larger apartment buildings, LoadUp offers professional removal in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Pittsburgh guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.