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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Raleigh, NC
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Raleigh, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Raleigh
Home › By item › Yard waste › Raleigh
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Raleigh, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Raleigh
$35
per Bulky Load (furniture, mattresses), up to 4 cubic yards, since April 2026
$70
per Special Load (appliances, exercise equipment)
Free
E-waste pickup, up to 4 items a week, by request
Every route for yard waste in Raleigh, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Raleigh guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Raleigh, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Raleigh Bulky Load, Special Load, and E-waste collection: yard waste
FreeRaleigh moved to weekly yard waste collection in September 2026: carts or biodegradable paper bags, limbs under 5 feet and 6 inches. Excess beyond that is a $70 Special Load.
Who qualifies: Households with City of Raleigh curbside garbage service. Not available to businesses.
How to schedule: Call 919-996-3245 with your address and a description of the items; staff classify it as a Bulky Load ($35 per 4 cubic yards, since April 1, 2026), a Special Load ($70 per 4 cubic yards, for appliances and exercise equipment), or free E-waste collection (up to 4 items a week). The charge lands on your next utility bill.
Limits: A load is 4 cubic yards (about 6 by 3 by 4 feet, two couches, or three queen mattresses), charged in full-load increments. No limit on the number of loads. E-waste: 4 items per week.
Set-out: At the curb on the scheduled day only, on a flat area, 5 feet from mailboxes, poles, and cars, on the main street (no alleys). Items out before scheduling can draw fines under the city code. Cancel by noon the business day before for a refund.
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 Raleigh: 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 Raleigh: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Raleigh runs a tightly structured but generous system: one free Bulky Load (up to 4 cubic yards) every 90 days, plus free curbside e-waste collection up to 4 items per week on Tuesdays only. Critical update for 2026: a Bulky Load fee took effect April 1, 2026, so the formerly “free once every 90 days” now operates differently, check current fee structure before scheduling. Raleigh also has one of the most permissive holiday schedules in the country: only Thanksgiving causes a delay. Christmas, New Year’s, and Labor Day are all normal collection days. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Raleigh rule for yard waste: Raleigh moved to weekly yard waste collection in September 2026: carts or biodegradable paper bags, limbs under 5 feet and 6 inches. Excess beyond that is a $70 Special Load.
Program basics: A load is 4 cubic yards (about 6 by 3 by 4 feet, two couches, or three queen mattresses), charged in full-load increments. No limit on the number of loads. E-waste: 4 items per week. At the curb on the scheduled day only, on a flat area, 5 feet from mailboxes, poles, and cars, on the main street (no alleys). Items out before scheduling can draw fines under the city code. Cancel by noon the business day before for a refund.
What the city will not take: Tires, car parts, batteries, glass, mirrors, windows, construction and remodeling debris of any kind including toilets, sinks, carpeting, and cabinets, treated lumber, stumps, and contractor materials. Wake County facilities take most of those.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services: Bulky, Special, and E-Waste Collection (updated October 5, 2026). 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 Bulky Load 90-day limits, live in apartment buildings without included bulk service, have items the city won’t take, or want full-service in-home pickup, LoadUp offers professional removal in Raleigh 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 Raleigh with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Raleigh proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Raleigh 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 Raleigh: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Raleigh pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, weekly, in the cart or biodegradable bags, limbs under 5 feet.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Raleigh?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Raleigh 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 Bulky Load 90-day limits, live in apartment buildings without included bulk service, have items the city won’t take, or want full-service in-home pickup, LoadUp offers professional removal in Raleigh 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 Raleigh page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Raleigh guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.