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Des Moines, IA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Participation
Voluntary opt-in
Collection frequency
Bi-weekly curbside
Container
City-issued blue cart
Non-residential opt-in fee
$90 cart + $40/yr
Mixing waste with recyclables
Municipal infraction

Summary

Des Moines runs a voluntary single-stream curbside recycling program: residents who opt in get a city-issued blue wheeled cart for unsorted recyclables, collected bi-weekly under Municipal Code Chapter 98.

The city has established a voluntary single stream curbside recycling program, pursuant to which recyclable materials are collected at curbside in blue wheeled carts provided by the city for that purpose. Persons owning or residing in residential premises who elect to participate in the curbside recycling program shall place recyclable materials unsorted in the blue recyclable materials wheeled cart for bi-weekly collection.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Participation is voluntary: residents who elect to join place recyclable materials unsorted into a blue wheeled cart the city provides, set out for bi-weekly pickup. Non-residential properties on an established residential route can also opt in if their existing waste hauler doesn't already offer recycling, after verifying that with the hauler; the city charges a one-time $90 cart fee plus a $40 annual collection fee per cart, up to five carts. Mixing ordinary trash into the recycling cart, or recyclables into a trash container, is a separate violation under the chapter's prohibited-acts section.

Violations & Fines

Placing solid waste in a recycling cart, or recyclables in with regular trash, is a municipal infraction under Sec. 98-117(e), punishable per the penalty schedule in Sec. 98-79.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling mandatory in Des Moines?
No. The curbside program is voluntary: residents choose whether to participate and receive a blue cart if they opt in.
Do recyclables need to be sorted?
No. Des Moines uses single-stream collection: all recyclable materials go unsorted into the blue wheeled cart.
Can a business use the city's recycling cart?
Only on an established residential route, and only if its current waste hauler doesn't already provide recycling service.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Des Moines

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSignificant RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Coyote ManagementHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: MicrochippingSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All Des Moines rules

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