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Garbage

You've got garbage, and we want to make sure you have a way to get rid of it. While it sounds simple, your residential garbage services can vary a bit depending on which city you live in. To view collection and drop-off information specific to your community, select your city.

Cart Guidelines

Follow these helpful tips to ensure timely collection:

  • Know your collection time. Make sure to have your carts out by 6 AM as some haulers like to start before the sun rises.
  • Place it properly. When placing your cart at the curb, there should be three feet between other carts, yard waste bags, and structures. Your cart should also be within 18 inches of the curb, with the metal bar on the cart facing the street.
  • Close the lid. Make sure garbage isn’t overflowing from your cart and the lid is closed. Items longer than four feet will not properly fit in your cart. 
  • Know what’s allowed. Some items, such as construction and demolition material or hazardous waste, are not allowed in your garbage cart. This includes rubble, concrete, wood, metal, rechargeable batteries, household cleaners, and lawn and garden chemicals. 

If you have any questions about what can and cannot go into your garbage cart, give us a call at 515.244.0021!

Large & Extra Items

Just because an item doesn't fit in your garbage cart, doesn't mean you can't still dispose of it curbside. Many cities in the metro area use a sticker program to get those large and extra items collected. Simply purchase stickers online or at a retailer, apply them to your item, and have that item at the curb on your collection day.

Is your item an appliance? Appliances require special handling. Give us a call to schedule collection before setting it at the curb. 

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Once it Leaves the Curb

Once your hauler picks up the garbage at your curb, it's taken to its final destination - the landfill. Metro Waste Authority manages two sanitary landfills in Iowa, Metro Park East and Metro Park West. Check what goes into planning for waste and how we take care of the environment while we're at it. 

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