Yard waste is not allowed in the trash; composting options available to residents

The City of Iowa City reminds residents that yard waste is not permitted in household trash. Under Iowa law, yard waste cannot be landfilled, and open burning of yard waste is prohibited within Iowa City. Residents have several convenient and environmentally responsible options for managing yard waste, including composting at home, curbside composting service, and drop-off at the compost facility.

How to compost yard waste:

• Backyard composting
  
  • Residents may compost leaves, grass clippings, and other yard materials at home to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil.
    
    
• Curbside composting
  • City of Iowa City Curbside Composting for yard waste, food waste, and other organic material is available to Iowa City residents living in single-family homes up to 4-unit residential buildings ($3.50/month on utility bill). The City provides 95-gallon or 25-gallon yellow-top composting carts to curbside customers.
  • Additional paper bags and bundles must have a $2 sticker affixed. Stickers are available at the City Hall Revenue Office and participating retailers, including both Iowa City Ace Hardware locations and the Hy-Vee stores in Iowa City and Coralville.

• Iowa City Landfill's Compost Facility drop-off (available to residents and businesses in Johnson County, and within the city limits of Kalona and Riverside)
  • The $5 minimum fee covers residential and commercial loads of yard or food waste weighing up to 400 pounds. Loads exceeding that amount will be charged at the standard organic material rate of $24/ton.
  • Mixed garbage and yard waste loads will be turned away.

Other materials prohibited from the trash

In addition to yard waste, the following materials are not allowed to be landfilled, and must be properly recycled and handled through programs offered at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center or other drop-off locations (available to Johnson County, and within the city limits of Kalona and Riverside):

• Cardboard
  • Recycle via Curbside Recycling or drop-off locations.
• Batteries
  • Residents: Recycle batteries at several battery drop-off locations.
  • Businesses can register with the Hazardous Material Collection Facility to recycle batteries for a fee. For other options, visit The Battery Network website.
• Computer and TV monitors
  • Recycle via electronics recycling at drop-off locations for $20 each.
• Tires
  • Recycle at the Iowa City Landfill for $0.15/pound ($3 minimum).
• Appliances
  • Recycle at the Iowa City Landfill for $12.50 per appliance.
• Oil
  • Recycle at the Iowa City Landfill or East Side Recycling Center in labeled plastic bottles (must be less than 5-gallon size) with secure lids.
• Liquids
  • The Iowa City Landfill is a permitted solid waste landfill. Liquids are not allowed. Hazardous liquids, such as oil-based paint or fertilizer, can be properly disposed of at the Landfill's Hazardous Material Collection Facility. More info: www.icgov.org/hhm