West Des Moines, IA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Under West Des Moines City Code section 4-5-4, the City provides solid waste collection service to every residential premises for the removal and disposal of yard waste and other solid waste, but owners and occupants remain responsible for separately arranging removal of banned substances, vehicles, and any material excluded from the service. Collections are made on a weekly basis, and the City Manager develops the schedule and is authorized to change or amend it whenever the circumstances of an emergency period or a specific holiday require it.

Section 4-5-3 defines "residential premises" to include single-family dwellings and multiple-family attached dwellings of up to four separate family quarters, and defines "regular collection" as occurring once weekly on the same day as regular solid waste collection day. The City Manager or a delegated representative enforces the chapter under section 4-5-2. Collection is limited to public streets; section 4-5-4C bars alley collection and requires a City Council exception, with an indemnification agreement, before a private street or private drive can be served. If a resident's waste does not comply with the chapter's requirements, section 4-5-4I relieves the City of any obligation to collect it, while any complying waste from that same premises must still be picked up.

Because West Des Moines contracts collection through a City-approved hauler working with the Metro Waste Authority, residents who miss a scheduled pickup because of a holiday shift should expect a delayed, not skipped, collection under the City Manager's adjusted schedule.