The City of Iowa City offers a variety of recycling, composting, and garbage programs. Note that cardboard, yard waste, batteries, computer/TV monitors, appliances, oil, and tires are not allowed in the garbage and must be properly recycled.
Donation and consignment options
Drop-off services
Drop-off recycling and disposal services are available to all residents of Johnson County and within the city limits of Kalona and Riverside.
- Batteries should not be placed in the trash or recycling carts, as they can cause fires. Visit www.icgov.org/battery for a full list of battery recycling locations.
- East Side Recycling Center accepts glass, cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, metal cans, motor oil/filters, and light bulbs/electronics/small appliances
- Sturgis Ferry Park Recycling Center accepts glass, cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, metal cans.
- Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center:
- Hours: 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-noon Saturday (expect longer wait times on Saturdays).
- Secured Load Policy: All loads must be secured; violations may result in a fine of $50 per load.
- Garbage disposal fees apply to all loads, including furniture and other household items.
- Accepted recyclables include glass, cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, metal cans, motor oil/filters, scrap metal, light bulbs, books, electronics/appliances (fees apply), tires (fees apply).
- Food and yard waste composting:
- Residential and commercial: $5 minimum fee (covers up to 400 pounds). $24/ton for heavier loads.
- Hazardous materials can be properly disposed of at the Landfill’s Hazardous Material Collection Facility. More information available at www.icgov.org/hhm.
Curbside collection
Curbside collection is available to single-family homes up to four-plex apartment buildings and includes garbage (green-top cart), recycling (blue-top cart), and composting (yellow-top cart) collection. Leave 3 feet between carts and ensure cart lids are securely closed for efficient, safe collection. Full program details at www.icgov.org/curbside.
- Garbage:
- Extra bags require a City garbage sticker, available at City Hall and participating retailers.
- Recycling:
- Flatten cardboard and size pieces to 2 by 2 feet maximum.
- Keep materials loose within the cart; do not bag items.
- Plastic bags, Styrofoam, and glass are not accepted.
- Composting:
- Yard and food waste collection is included in the customer utility fee using the yellow-top cart. Paper yard-waste bags or bundled material require a $2 sticker, available at City Hall and participating retailers. Bundling specifications can be viewed here.
- Bulky Items:
- Schedule pickups at least one week in advance at www.icgov.org/curbside under the "Bulky Item Collection" tab or call 319-356-5151.
Apartment buildings with five or more units are required to provide recycling. Learn more at www.icgov.org/recycle.
