City of Iowa City issues move-out season recycling and garbage reminders

July 26, 2025 Tommy Lang Local News

City of Iowa City news release

Recycling reminders.

The City of Iowa City offers recycling and garbage programs via curbside collection and drop-off locations in Iowa City, with a variety of materials accepted. If you are moving this summer, please view the Waste & Recycling Guide for Johnson County for helpful information.

A reminder that cardboard, batteries, computer/TV monitors, appliances, oil, tires, and yard waste are not allowed in the garbage, and must be properly recycled or composted.

Here are important program updates and reminders.

Curbside collection

Curbside collection is available to residents living in single-family homes up to four-plex apartment buildings and offers garbage (green-top cart), recycling (blue-top cart), and composting (yellow-top cart) collection.

  • Curbside collection program information: www.icgov.org/curbside
    • Garbage:
      • The cart lid must be securely closed for collection.
      • Curbside customers may purchase City of Iowa City garbage stickers for pickup of additional bags that do not fit in the cart, available at the City Hall Revenue Office and participating retailers, including Iowa City Ace Hardware locations and Hy-Vee stores in Iowa City.
    • Recycling: Curbside Recycling Guide.
    • Composting: Curbside Composting Guide.
      • Note: As of July 1, 2025, a $2 yard waste sticker is required for each paper bag or bundle of yard waste placed at the curb using Iowa City curbside collection services. Stickers are available at the City Hall Revenue Office and participating retailers, including Iowa City Ace Hardware locations and Hy-Vee stores in Iowa City and Coralville.
    • Bulky Items: If you need a large item picked up, please schedule at the website under the “Bulky Item Curbside Collection” tab, or call 319-356-5151, and plan at least a week ahead for pickup service.

Five-plex and larger apartment buildings in Iowa City are required to provide recycling. Visit www.icgov.org/recycle for more information.

Drop-off Options

Drop-off recycling and disposal services are available to all Johnson County residents and include the following locations:

  • East Side Recycling Center
    • Accepted materials: glass, cardboard, mixed paper and softcover books, cartons (place in paper bin), plastic bottles, metal cans, motor oil/oil filters/cooking oil (place in oil recycling shed), light bulbs/electronics/small appliances (recycle via ReStore donations around back of building during open hours only: Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; fees apply.)
  • Sturgis Ferry Park Recycling Center
    • Accepted materials: glass, cardboard, mixed paper and softcover books, cartons (place in paper bin), plastic bottles, metal cans.
  • Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center
    • Open hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Saturday traffic is heavy, and long wait lines may occur; please plan accordingly.
    • Secured Load Policy: City Rules and Regulations require all loads to be secured. Unsecured loads will be subject to a warning and then a fine of $50 per load.
    • Garbage disposal: fees are charged for any incoming garbage, including furniture and other household items.
    • Accepted recycling materials: glass, cardboard, mixed paper and softcover books, cartons (place in paper bin), plastic bottles, metal cans, motor oil/oil filters/cooking oil (place in oil recycling shed), scrap metal, light bulbs, hardcover books, electronics/appliances (fees apply), tires (fees apply).
    • Food and yard waste can be composted at the Iowa City Landfill’s Compost Facility.
      • Residential and commercial fees: $5 minimum fee covers loads weighing up to 400 pounds. Loads exceeding that amount will be charged $24/ton.
    • Hazardous material: Can be properly disposed of at the Iowa City Landfill’s Hazardous Material Collection Facility at no cost to Johnson County residents during open hours only, Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. More info: www.icgov.org/hhm. Businesses and non-profits, please call 319-887-6160 for more information.
  • Batteries should not go into the trash or regular recycling, as they can cause fires. Properly dispose of batteries (including alkaline) at several local drop-off locations listed at www.icgov.org/hhm.
  • Glass is not allowed in curbside recycling, but it can be recycled at local recycling drop-off locations listed above, and at these glass-only drop-off locations via the purple bins: