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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Syracuse, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Syracuse DPW
4
bulk collections per household per calendar year, scheduled 2 days ahead at 315-448-2489
2 cu yd
maximum per setout, items under 50 pounds
4
tires per calendar year with a bulk setout
Every route for yard waste in Syracuse, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Syracuse guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Syracuse, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Syracuse bulk item collection by request: yard waste
FreeYard waste is collected on its own seasonal schedule in paper bags or bundles, not as bulk.
Who qualifies: Homes and apartments with City of Syracuse DPW trash collection.
How to schedule: Call Cityline at 315-448-CITY (2489) at least two days ahead to request a bulk setout. Each household gets 4 bulk collections per calendar year, free.
Limits: 4 collections a year. Each setout no more than 2 cubic yards (a washer and dryer side by side), items under 50 pounds. Up to 4 tires per calendar year.
Set-out: At the curb on your scheduled collection day after your request is confirmed, separate from carts.
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 Syracuse: 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 Syracuse: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Syracuse, New York provides 4 free bulk trash collections per year through a scheduled appointment system via Cityline. Items must fit within a 2-cubic-yard area, and acceptable items include carpets, non-wood furniture, mattresses, and up to 4 residential tires per year. New York State’s e-waste ban applies, with electronics going to Onondaga County drop-off sites. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Syracuse residents.
The Syracuse rule for yard waste: Yard waste is collected on its own seasonal schedule in paper bags or bundles, not as bulk.
Program basics: 4 collections a year. Each setout no more than 2 cubic yards (a washer and dryer side by side), items under 50 pounds. Up to 4 tires per calendar year. At the curb on your scheduled collection day after your request is confirmed, separate from carts.
What the city will not take: Electronics (banned from New York trash; OCRRA drop-off sites), household hazardous waste, construction debris, and items over 50 pounds or 2 cubic yards.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Syracuse DPW: Bulk Item Disposal. 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 Syracuse households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Syracuse area.
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 Syracuse with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Syracuse proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Syracuse 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 Syracuse: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Syracuse pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, on the seasonal yard waste schedule.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Syracuse?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Syracuse starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Syracuse households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Syracuse area.
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 Syracuse page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Syracuse guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.