Trash & Recycling in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
West Des Moines requires trash for collection to go in a City-approved cart, with disposable bags allowed only for bulky items under 50 pounds. Nonconforming containers like loose baskets or boxes are left at the curb uncollected if oversized or unacceptable under City Code section 4-5-9.
West Des Moines Container and Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-5-9
A. Carts: Unless otherwise noted, disposal of solid waste for collection by the City approved contractor shall only be made in City approved carts. B. Disposal Bags: Disposable bags manufactured for solid waste disposal shall be acceptable for bulky items. Disposable bags and contents shall not exceed fifty (50) pounds. ... ... D. Nonconforming Containers: Baskets, boxes and noncomplying solid ...
Bin Placement Rules
West Des Moines requires carts to sit within 18 inches of the curb or right-of-way edge, clear of sidewalks and at least 6 feet from structures. Carts may go out after 5:00 p.m. the evening before pickup and must come back in within 24 hours of collection under City Code section 4-5-4.
Trash Cart Placement Rules in West Des Moines
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-5-4
1. Streets: Whenever solid waste is collected adjoining the street curb or street right-of-way, residents desiring to have solid waste collected by the City in accordance with this chapter shall place their carts upon the driveway, parking or right-of-way in front of their premises, adjacent to, and within eighteen inches (18") of the near edge of the roadway curb or adjacent to and within eigh...
Bulk Item Disposal
West Des Moines lets residents set out bulky items, anything too large for the City-approved cart, alongside regular collection, but only in a disposal bag rated for solid waste that weighs no more than fifty pounds and carries a City-approved sticker. City Code §§ 4-5-4(E) and 4-5-9(B) govern placement and container specs; the Metro Waste Authority runs the disposal side.
West Des Moines Bulky Item Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-5-9(B)
B. Disposal Bags: Disposable bags manufactured for solid waste disposal shall be acceptable for bulky items. Disposable bags and contents shall not exceed fifty (50) pounds.
Recycling Requirements
In the City of West Des Moines, section 4-6-3 of the City Code creates a mandatory recycling program for multi-family dwellings not already covered by an existing residential recycling service. Owners must supply source-separation facilities, and collection of the designated recyclables has to happen at least twice a month, coordinated with whoever holds the property's private solid waste contract.
West Des Moines Multi-Family Recycling Program
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-6-3
A. There is hereby established a recycling program for the source separation, separate collection and recycling of designated recyclable materials generated within the City from all multi-family dwellings and dwelling units not presently served by existing residential recycling collection programs. B. Collection of designated recyclable materials pursuant to this section shall be made at le...
Illegal Dumping
It is unlawful in West Des Moines to throw or deposit trash, garbage, rubbish, litter, or other debris on any street or sidewalk under City Code section 7-1-3. Violations are enforced as municipal infractions under section 1-4-1, carrying civil penalties up to $750.00 per offense.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in West Des Moines
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 7-1-3
C. Debris On Sidewalks: It shall be unlawful for a person to throw or deposit on any sidewalk any glass, nails, glass bottle, tacks, wire, cans, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter, offal, or any other debris, or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal or vehicle. ... ... G. Placing Debris On Streets: It shall be unlawful for any person to throw or deposit on any street any glass, g...
Yard Waste Collection
West Des Moines collects an unlimited amount of yard waste each week, but only if it is bagged in a City-approved yard waste bag with a City-approved sticker, or bundled tree debris under six inches in diameter tied into bundles no larger than forty-eight by eighteen inches. City Code § 4-5-4(G) sets the bag, bundle, and fifty-pound weight limits.
West Des Moines Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-5-4(G)
1. The amount of residential yard waste in approved yard waste bags and bundles of tree debris placed for regular residential collection by the City or a contracted hauler shall not be limited. ... ... 4. All yard waste must be in an approved yard waste bag with a City approved yard waste sticker affixed to the yard waste bag. ... ... 6. No bag of yard waste, bundle of tree debris or piece of t...
Dumpster Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, Zoning Code section 9-14-12 requires a dumpster serving a non-single-family property to be screened by a wall built of materials and colors matching the main building. The screen wall is allowed in non-residential districts only and can exceed the district's normal wall height when needed to fully hide the dumpster.
West Des Moines Dumpster Screening Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-14-12
C. Screen Walls: ... Screen walls for the protection and visual mitigation of mechanical equipment, dumpsters and generators shall comply with the following: 1. Allowed in non-single-family residential districts only. ... ... 3. May exceed height limitations of the specific zoning districts in order to effectively screen the equipment, dumpster or generator when located in direct proximity to t...
Collection Schedule
The City of West Des Moines collects residential solid waste once a week under City Code section 4-5-4, with the City Manager setting and adjusting the schedule around holidays and emergencies. Service covers single-family homes and attached multi-family buildings of up to four units.
Weekly Trash Collection in West Des Moines
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-5-4
The City will provide to each residential premises solid waste collection service as defined in this chapter for the removal and disposal of yard waste and other solid waste; provided, however, that the owner or occupant of each such premises shall separately remove or arrange for the removal and proper disposal of banned substances and of vehicles and any other solid waste limited or excluded ...
Recycling Rules
Section 4-6-9 of the West Des Moines City Code requires every multi-family property owner or waste contractor to keep enough containers on site to hold designated recyclables between pickups, built durable and watertight and marked with the recycling symbol. Section 4-6-8 requires collectors and haulers to prevent spillage and keep transport vehicles from creating odors or a public nuisance.
West Des Moines Recycling Collection And Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-6-9
A. General: It shall be the duty of every owner or entity which contracts for the private collection and disposal of solid waste from the premises to provide and keep at all times, a sufficient number of containers to hold all designated recyclable materials which may accumulate during the intervals between collection of such materials by the authorized collector. ... Owners of multi-family dwe...