Yard Waste Removal in Orlando: What You Can & Can't Put at the Curb

# Yard Waste Removal in Orlando: What You Can & Can't Put at the Curb Orlando's year-round growing season means year-round yard waste. Between the weekly mowing, seasonal pruning, hurricane cleanup, and landscaping projects, Central Florida homeowners generate more yard debris than almost anywhere else in the country. But not all of it can go to the curb — and the rules vary depending on whether you live in the City of Orlando, unincorporated Orange County, or one of the surrounding municipalities. ## City of Orlando Yard Waste Rules If you live within Orlando city limits, here's what the city will and won't pick up on your regular yard waste day: **The city WILL pick up (free, curbside):** - Grass clippings and leaves (in bags or loose piles) - Small branches and limbs (under 4 feet long, under 4 inches in diameter) - Palm fronds (cut to 4-foot lengths) - Shrub and hedge trimmings - Weeds and garden waste **The city will NOT pick up:** - Tree trunks or stumps - Branches over 4 inches in diameter - Dirt, rocks, or sod - Construction lumber or treated wood - Yard waste mixed with household trash - Anything in plastic bags (must be paper bags or loose) **Important:** Yard waste must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Piles should be no more than 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high. ## When You Need Professional Yard Waste Removal The city's free pickup covers routine maintenance, but many situations require professional help: **After a storm.** Hurricane season (June through November) regularly produces more debris than the city can handle on its normal schedule. After major storms, city pickup can be delayed by weeks. [Junk Removal Rangers](/services/junk-removal) offers same-day and next-day storm debris removal when you can't wait. **Large landscaping projects.** Removing a tree, clearing overgrown areas, or redesigning your landscape generates debris that exceeds curbside limits. We handle full truckloads of branches, stumps, and vegetation. **Tree removal debris.** If you've had a tree removed by an arborist, they sometimes leave the debris for you to deal with. We pick up where they left off — logs, branches, root balls, and all. **Sod and dirt removal.** Re-sodding your lawn means removing the old sod and possibly excess dirt. The city won't touch it, but we will. ## How Much Does Professional Yard Waste Removal Cost? | Scenario | Estimated Cost | |----------|---------------| | Small pile (fits in a pickup truck) | $75 – $150 | | Medium pile (1/4 truck load) | $150 – $250 | | Large pile (1/2 truck load) | $250 – $400 | | Full truck load | $400 – $600 | | Storm cleanup (multiple loads) | $600 – $1,500+ | Our pricing is based on how much space your yard waste takes up in our truck. We always provide a free estimate before starting. ## Orlando's Unique Yard Waste Challenges **Palm trees.** Orlando is full of them, and they produce a constant stream of fronds, seed pods, and coconuts. A single mature palm can drop 20+ fronds per year, each up to 15 feet long. While the city will pick up fronds cut to 4-foot lengths, many homeowners prefer professional removal to avoid the cutting and stacking. **Spanish moss.** It's beautiful on live oaks, but when it falls (or gets pulled down during pruning), it creates surprisingly heavy piles that are difficult to bag. **Invasive species.** Orlando homeowners dealing with invasive plants like Brazilian pepper, air potato vine, or cogon grass often need to remove large volumes of vegetation quickly to prevent regrowth. **Hurricane debris.** Central Florida's hurricane season produces massive amounts of yard debris. After a major storm, the city activates special debris collection routes, but these can take weeks to reach every neighborhood. Professional removal gets your yard clean immediately. ## Tips for Managing Yard Waste Year-Round **Compost what you can.** Grass clippings, leaves, and small plant trimmings make excellent compost. Orange County offers free composting workshops and discounted compost bins for residents. **Mulch your own branches.** If you have a chipper/shredder, small branches and limbs can be turned into mulch for your garden beds. This saves money on both removal and mulch purchases. **Schedule regular maintenance.** Rather than letting yard waste pile up, schedule regular cleanups — especially after the heavy growth months of May through September. **Know your pickup schedule.** The City of Orlando collects yard waste on a set day each week. Check [orlando.gov](https://www.orlando.gov/Trash-Recycling) for your specific collection day. ## Serving All Orlando Neighborhoods We provide yard waste removal throughout the Orlando metro area, from [Windermere](/neighborhoods/windermere) and [Dr. Phillips](/neighborhoods/dr-phillips) to [Oviedo](/neighborhoods/oviedo) and [Sanford](/neighborhoods/sanford). Whether it's a small pile of branches or a full storm cleanup, [call (407) 305-4707](tel:4073054707) or [get a free quote online](/contact).