Trash & Recycling in Iowa City, IA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Iowa City, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
The City of Iowa City Resource Management Division collects residential refuse, single-stream recycling, and food/yard organics curbside once per week from single-family homes through 4-unit residences under Iowa City Code 16-3H-8. Three-cart system: 65-gallon green-top garbage, 65-gallon blue-top recycling (single-stream), and 25 or 95-gallon yellow-top composting. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day with lids closed and 3-foot clearance. Premises with five or more dwellings must arrange private collection (recycling mandated, 16-3H-9). Schedule lookup: icgov.org/curbside. Resource Management: 319-356-5151.
Iowa City Pickup Rules: City Collects Once Weekly, Set Out by 7 AM, Three-Cart System (Green/Blue/Yellow), 4-Unit Cutoff
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Iowa City Code 16-3H-8 and the City's published Solid Waste Rules and Regulations require curbside carts to be placed on the street the residence fronts, at the curb, by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Each cart must have its lid fully closed (automated arm cannot lift open lids), arrows on the lid facing the street, and a 3-foot clear zone on all sides. Return carts to storage area by end of collection day; carts left at curb beyond the day are a Title 6 public-nuisance violation. Do not block sidewalks, hydrants, or mailboxes. Resource Management: 319-356-5151.
Iowa City Bin Placement: Curb of Fronting Street, 7 AM Cutoff, Lids Closed, 3-Foot Clear Zone, Arrows Toward Street
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Iowa City Resource Management runs a scheduled special-items curbside service for furniture, mattresses, appliances, and tires. Schedule at iowa-city.org/forms/bulkpickup (need 7-digit account + 6-digit customer numbers) or call 319-356-5151 at least two days before your regular collection day. Fees billed to utility account: $12.50 first bulky item, $6 each additional; $20 per appliance; $3.75 per tire off rim, $7.50 on rim. 7-foot maximum length per item. Have items at curb by 7 a.m. on your normal day. Direct drop-off available at Iowa City Landfill, 3900 Hebl Ave SW.
Iowa City Bulk Disposal: Schedule Special-Item Pickup Online or 319-356-5151; $12.50 First Item, $6 Each Additional, Appliances $20, Tires $3.75-$7.50
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Iowa City Code 16-3H-9 makes recycling MANDATORY. Single-family through 4-unit residences receive a 65-gallon blue-top single-stream recycling cart from the City (no resident sorting). Premises with five or more dwellings (apartments) - AND any residence that does not front a public street - must contract a private licensed solid-waste collector to provide recycling collection at least once weekly. Several materials are prohibited from landfill disposal under 16-3H-9: tires, yard waste, corrugated cardboard, computer monitors, televisions, and major appliances. State authority: Iowa Code Chapter 455D (Waste Volume Reduction and Recycling).
Iowa City Recycling: Mandatory Single-Stream Blue Cart for 1-4 Unit Residences; 5+ Unit Apartments Must Provide Private Weekly Recycling Under 16-3H-9
Heavy RestrictionsIllegal Dumping
Illegal dumping in Iowa City is prosecuted on two tracks. City: Iowa City Code Title 6, Chapter 1 lists junk and garbage accumulation as a public nuisance - 7-day notice plus $100 admin fee plus contractor cleanup cost charged to the responsible party or property. State: Iowa Code Chapter 455B (DNR solid waste) and §716.5 (criminal mischief/trespass for dumping); for items over 10 lbs or 15 cubic feet, state fines begin at $1,000 first offense, $2,000 second, $3,000+ subsequent under 2016 enhanced-penalty law. Iowa DNR Field Services also enforces. Report: Neighborhood Services 319-356-5120 or Iowa DNR.
Iowa City Illegal Dumping: City Title 6 Public Nuisance + Iowa Code §455B/§716.5; State Fines Start $1,000 First / $2,000 Second / $3,000+ Subsequent for >10 lbs
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Iowa Code §455D.9 BANS yard waste from land disposal statewide - leaves, grass, brush cannot be put in the green garbage cart. Iowa City Code 16-3H-9 mirrors the ban and routes yard waste to the City's yellow-top composting program: residents receive a 25-gallon (~50 lb) or 95-gallon (~250 lb) yellow-top cart for combined food and yard waste at $3.50/month on the utility bill. Untreated wood waste bundles (max specified by Resource Management) are also accepted curbside. The Iowa City Landfill also accepts yard waste for composting. Authority: Iowa Code §455D.9; Iowa City Code 16-3H-8 / 16-3H-9.
Iowa City Yard Waste: Banned from Trash by Iowa Code §455D.9; Use Yellow-Top Composting Cart (25 or 95-Gallon), Paper Bags, or Bundles
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Johnson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Iowa City city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Johnson County →