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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Saint Paul, MN
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Saint Paul, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Saint Paul
Home › By item › Yard waste › Saint Paul
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Saint Paul, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Saint Paul
12
bulky item pickups per garbage cart per calendar year, no monthly limit
2 days
minimum notice before your collection day; label each item 'Bulky'
$30
plus tax per item beyond your yearly allotment
Every route for yard waste in Saint Paul, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Saint Paul guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Saint Paul, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Saint Paul bulky item collection: yard waste
FreeYard waste is not a bulky item; Ramsey County yard waste sites are free, and haulers sell yard waste cart subscriptions.
Who qualifies: Properties with 1 to 4 units in the city's coordinated garbage program (and properties that opted in). Buildings of 5 or more units arrange bulky pickups with their private hauler.
How to schedule: Every garbage cart comes with 12 bulky item pickups per calendar year, with no monthly limit. Schedule with your assigned hauler or through the city at 651-266-6101 (garbage@ci.stpaul.mn.us) at least 2 business days before your collection day, and label each item 'Bulky'. Extra items are $30 plus tax each on your garbage bill.
Limits: 12 bulky items per cart per year (prorated if a cart was not active all year). Items within 10 feet of your cart are assumed to be set out for pickup.
Set-out: At your regular cart location on your collection day, labeled 'Bulky', not blocking the alley or sidewalk.
Ramsey County household hazardous waste and yard waste sites: yard waste
FreeYard waste sites.
Where: Bay West HHW facility, 5 Empire Dr, Saint Paul, and county yard waste sites
How it works: Free household hazardous waste drop-off for county residents, and free yard waste sites. Electronics are accepted at the HHW site for a fee or free at retailer programs.
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 Saint Paul: 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 Saint Paul: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Saint Paul, Minnesota (#68 nationally) operates one of the most generous bulk pickup programs in the country. Starting April 2025: every household with 1 to 4 units gets one free bulky item pickup per unit, per calendar month, included with regular garbage service. Additional items cost $30 each. The City coordinates collection through a consortium of private haulers under contract with FCC Environmental (April 1, 2025 onward); each address is assigned to a specific hauler. Recycling is funded through Ramsey County property taxes. The annual 2026 recycling fee is $172.75 per unit (1 to 4 unit properties). Mattresses are recycled separately and unlimited at no charge by Second Chance Recycling. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Saint Paul residents.
The Saint Paul rule for yard waste: Yard waste is not a bulky item; Ramsey County yard waste sites are free, and haulers sell yard waste cart subscriptions.
Program basics: 12 bulky items per cart per year (prorated if a cart was not active all year). Items within 10 feet of your cart are assumed to be set out for pickup. At your regular cart location on your collection day, labeled 'Bulky', not blocking the alley or sidewalk.
What the city will not take: Household hazardous waste (Ramsey County sites), construction debris, and tires on rims. Check with your hauler on item-specific prep.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Saint Paul Public Works: Bulky Item Collection. 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 Saint Paul households needing in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (construction debris, hazmat), service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multiple-piece sets), or apartment residents at 5+ unit properties, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Twin Cities 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 Saint Paul with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Saint Paul proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Saint Paul pick up yard waste for free?
Ramsey County yard waste sites are free, or subscribe to a yard waste cart.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Saint Paul?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Saint Paul starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Saint Paul households needing in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (construction debris, hazmat), service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multiple-piece sets), or apartment residents at 5+ unit properties, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Twin Cities 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 Saint Paul page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Saint Paul guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.