The devastating storm that hit the Iowa City area on Monday left hundreds of downed trees, limbs, and wood debris in its wake. City crews, along with the help of the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department, are working throughout our community to clear streets and remove debris from the City right-of-way. Due to the amount of damage, it may be some time before crews make it to your neighborhood.
Curbside crews continue to collect on public right-of-way. To help speed up debris removal, the City will begin accepting downed trees, limbs, and yard debris from residents at the lot south of the Iowa City Transit facilities at 1200 S. Riverside Drive. The site will be open for residential yard debris and tree waste from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily beginning Saturday, August 15, 2020. There are no size limitations or bundling requirements on limbs or branches.
In addition to accepting yard waste, the City will also accept spoiled food from Iowa City residents at the South Riverside Drive site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Spoiled food must be bagged; residents will unload into a garbage truck at the site. Spoiled food will also be picked up in customers’ trash carts on their regular pick-up day.
Please note that the South Riverside Drive location is for Iowa City residential customers only. Non-residents should check with their community for options. Commercial haulers and businesses should continue to utilize the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center at 3900 Hebl Avenue SW. Landfill hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Commercial customers are required to scale and pay for all materials. Please see www.icgov.org/landfill or call 319-356-5151 with any questions.
Other storm-related waste such as packaged food waste, construction and demolition debris and regular trash should go to the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center or be set out through the normal curbside collection programs.
Please note: yard waste must continue to be separated from regular trash. Open burning is prohibited in Iowa City.
A reminder for residents on what to do with post-storm materials: Downed tree limbs
City crews are not able to assist with the removal of trees, branches, or other post-storm debris from private property. If you need help, you are advised to contact a private contractor.
Iowa City residents who have City of Iowa City curbside garbage pick-up service may place fallen tree limbs, branches, brush, and woody yard waste at the curb for pick-up on their normal garbage day. Wood waste and brush that is four inches in diameter or less should be securely tied in bundles that are no bigger around than 18 inches and no more than 48 inches in length.
Residents of Iowa City, Johnson County and other communities served by the Iowa City Landfill may also take limbs and wood debris directly to the Iowa City Landfill at 3900 Hebl Avenue SW, west of the City limits on Melrose Avenue / IWV Road. There are no size limitations or bundling requirements on limbs or branches that are dropped off at the Landfill, and no disposal fees are charged to residents hauling from their own property. Landfill hours are from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
A video on how to properly dispose of materials can also be found online.
If out helping clear debris, please continue to wear a mask or face covering to help curb the spread of COVID-19. If you are not helping clear debris and do not need to travel, please stay inside to help ensure crews can clean up as quickly as possible.
For more information, contact the Landfill Office at 319-356-5185 or see www.icgov.org/stormrecovery.