Iowa City, IA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Iowa banned yard-waste land disposal statewide in 1990 under Iowa Code §455D.9, and Iowa City was an early adopter of the curbside composting program that replaces it. The City of Iowa City Resource Management Division operates a year-round yellow-top combined organics cart program (food waste plus yard waste in the same cart, mixed together). Carts come in two sizes: 25-gallon yellow-top (~50 lb capacity) and 95-gallon yellow-top (~250 lb capacity). Each curbside-eligible household (1-4 unit residences) is entitled to one cart included in the $3.50/month composting service fee on the monthly utility bill. Set-out rules under the City Solid Waste Rules and Regulations and 16-3H-8: at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the regular collection day; lids must be fully closed for collection (per the published rule); 3-foot clear zone; arrows on lid facing the street; return cart to storage area by end of collection day; do not overfill. Accepted: leaves, grass clippings, garden trimmings, weeds, brush small enough to fit in the cart, food scraps (including meat, dairy, bones at the Iowa City compost facility), food-soiled paper, paper plates and napkins, pizza boxes. NOT accepted: plastic bags (even compostable bags in some seasons - check current City list), pet waste, treated lumber, large branches over the size limit. Larger brush, branches, and untreated wood waste bundles (bundled to Resource Management spec) are accepted curbside as a separate item under 16-3H-8 - check icgov.org for current bundle size and weight limits. The Iowa City Landfill at 3900 Hebl Avenue SW also accepts yard waste directly for composting (tipping fees apply by weight). Putting yard waste in the green garbage cart is a violation of both Iowa City Code 16-3H-9 (landfill-disposal prohibition) AND Iowa Code §455D.9 (state ban). The state ban exists because Iowa landfill space is finite, yard waste decomposes anaerobically to produce methane, and composting captures useful soil amendment that closes the nutrient loop. State authority: Iowa Code §455D.9 (yard waste land-disposal prohibition); §455D.4A (statewide recycling); Iowa DNR Chapter 455B (solid waste management).