Johnson County, IA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- State Bans
- Yard waste from landfills
- Bottle Deposit
- 5¢ (Iowa Code 455C)
- Iowa City Organics
- Yard + food waste cart
- Compost Site
- Iowa City landfill facility
- State Law
- Iowa Code 455D.9
Summary
Iowa bans yard waste from landfills, so Johnson County's cities run curbside recycling and organics diversion. Iowa City collects curbside recycling plus a combined yard- and food-waste organics cart. Iowa's 5-cent bottle deposit covers most beverage containers.
Land disposal of yard waste as defined by the department is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Two state rules shape recycling here. Iowa's bottle bill (Iowa Code ch. 455C) puts a five-cent deposit on beer, soda and other beverage containers, redeemable at stores and redemption centers. And Iowa Code section 455D.9 bans yard waste from landfills and directs every city and county to require residents to separate it. That mandate is why Iowa City runs one of the state's strongest diversion programs: curbside recycling of paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastics, plus a yellow-top organics cart taking both yard waste and food scraps for composting at the landfill's compost facility. Coralville and North Liberty offer curbside recycling and seasonal yard-waste collection. Rural residents use landfill drop-offs.
Violations & Fines
No county penalty applies for not recycling in the unincorporated area. In the cities a contaminated cart is tagged and skipped rather than fined; mixing yard waste into the trash violates the state landfill ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to recycle in Johnson County?
What goes in the Iowa City organics cart?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Iowa Code
Other rules in Johnson County
Compare Johnson County to another location·View the Iowa trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.