Des Moines Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Yard Waste 2026

Find your Des Moines Public Works collection day, recycling week, yard waste rules, and SCRUB event calendar.

City of Des Moines · Public Works Solid Waste Division · Updated May 2026

⭐ Collection Day Finder

Find Your Des Moines Collection Day

Select your trash pickup day to see your full weekly schedule — garbage, recycling week, yard waste, and 2026 holiday impacts.

👈 Select your day above to see your complete Des Moines collection schedule.

Don’t know your day? Use the Show Me My House address tool or call (515) 283-4950 (24/7).  More contact options ↓

At a Glance

Des Moines Waste Collection — Quick Facts

The City of Des Moines Public Works Solid Waste Division provides weekly curbside collection of garbage, recycling (biweekly), and yard waste for all Des Moines residences. All three services run on the same assigned weekday per address. Collection starts when you establish water service with Des Moines Water Works at (515) 283-8700.

🗑
Garbage
Weekly
By address, 64 or 96-gal cart
Recycling
Every other week
Blue cart, yellow or orange week
🌿
Yard Waste
Weekly — year-round
Cart, paper bags, or bundles
📦
Bulk Items
Pink sticker system
$5/item; call 24 hrs ahead
📅
SCRUB Events
Monthly, Mar–Nov
Free drop-off, Saturdays
⚠ Garbage rate increase effective 2026. Collection fees are billed monthly through Des Moines Water Works: $16.81/mo for a 64-gallon cart, $17.91/mo for a 96-gallon cart. Seniors and disabled residents may qualify for a fee reduction. Call (515) 283-4950 to apply.
Three-Service System

Des Moines Collection Services — What Goes Where

Every Des Moines residence is assigned one collection day per week for all three services: garbage, recycling (biweekly), and yard waste. All carts must be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before.

Blue Cart — Recycling

Paper, cardboard, glass, cans, plastic bottles #1 & #2, cartons. Loose — never bagged. Shredded paper in a paper bag.

Biweekly • Free
🌿

Green/Brown Cart — Yard Waste

Grass, leaves, brush, garden trimmings, flowers. Optional cart subscription or use Compost It! bags. Year-round collection.

Weekly • Year-Round
🗑

Black/Gray Cart — Garbage

All non-recyclable, non-compostable waste. In bags inside the cart. Lid must be closed. Max 200 lbs.

Weekly • Rate-Based

⏰ Set-Out Rules

  • All carts out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day; no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the evening before.
  • Place within 18 inches of the curb (arm’s length) on a level surface.
  • At least 3 feet from other carts, mailboxes, fences, utility poles, and all stationary obstacles.
  • Metal bar must face the street. Lid must be closed. Do not overfill.
  • Do not place carts under low-hanging tree branches.
  • Remove carts from collection point within 12 hours after pickup.
  • Carts put out after 7 a.m. on collection day are subject to a $25 collection fee.
💡 Yellow sticker vs. orange sticker on your blue recycling cart lid: A yellow sticker means you’re on a yellow week; orange means orange week. These alternate biweekly. Verify your week using Show Me My House or the Recycling Calendar.
Holiday Schedule

Des Moines Holiday Trash Collection Schedule 2026

Des Moines Public Works observes select holidays with a one-day delay for all customers (or only affected days). The 24/7 Customer Service Center at (515) 283-4950 is always available for holiday questions.

Holiday2026 DateImpactWhat Happens
New Year’s DayThu, Jan 1NormalNo delay — this holiday falls in 2026 for Jan 1, 2026 (already passed). Jan 1, 2027 affects Friday customers only.
MLK Jr. DayMon, Jan 19NormalNo delay. All carts collected on regular schedule.
Presidents’ DayMon, Feb 16NormalNo delay. All carts collected on regular schedule.
Memorial DayMon, May 251-Day Delay — ALLNo Monday pickup. All routes shift one day. Friday collection moves to Saturday. Appliance pickups move Mon→Tue.
JuneteenthFri, Jun 19NormalNo delay. Regular service on all routes.
Independence DaySat, Jul 4NormalFalls on Saturday — no weekday impact. Regular service all week.
Labor DayMon, Sep 71-Day Delay — ALLNo Monday pickup. All routes shift one day. Friday collection moves to Saturday. Appliance pickups move Mon→Tue.
Veterans DayWed, Nov 11NormalNo delay. Regular service on all routes.
Thanksgiving DayThu, Nov 261-Day Delay — Thu & FriThursday and Friday customers shift one day. Thursday→Friday; Friday→Saturday. Mon–Wed unaffected.
Christmas DayFri, Dec 251-Day Delay — Fri OnlyFriday customers only: collection moves to Saturday. Mon–Thu unaffected.
💡 Memorial Day and Labor Day delay ALL customers by one day. Thanksgiving delays only Thursday and Friday customers. Christmas delays only Friday customers. MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Veterans Day are all fully normal service days.
Recycling — Blue Cart

Des Moines Recycling — What Goes in the Blue Cart

Recycling is free and optional for all Des Moines residents, collected every other week on your regular garbage day. Your blue cart has a yellow or orange sticker on the lid indicating your alternating week. All items must be loose — never bagged in plastic. Extra carts are available at no charge.

✅ Accepted in the Blue Cart

  • Newspaper, magazines, junk mail, catalogs, phone books, paperback books
  • Cardboard — flattened (also drop-off at 110 SE 6th St)
  • Paper and hardback books
  • Food cartons: milk, juice, soup, broth, wine, egg substitute
  • Plastic containers #1 and #2 only with twist-off lids (keep lids on)
  • Aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, bi-metal cans, empty aerosol cans
  • Glass food and beverage containers — all colors, rinsed
  • Jar lids
  • Shredded paper — must be in a paper bag (not plastic)

🚫 Never in the Blue Cart

  • Plastic bags of any kind → grocery store drop-off
  • Styrofoam / polystyrene
  • Food-contaminated paper: pizza boxes, fast food containers, paper towels
  • Plastic #3–#7: yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, Tupperware, berry containers
  • Aluminum foil, pots, pans, utensils
  • Electronics or batteries → MWA HHW site
  • Clothing or appliances
  • Photo paper, photos, tissues, toilet paper
  • Light bulbs, wiring, hoses

📦 Free Cardboard Drop-Off — 110 SE 6th Street

The City operates a free 24/7 cardboard-only drop-off site at 110 SE 6th Street with large blue dumpsters. Break down all boxes before placing them in the bins. Additional cardboard dumpsters are available at three Des Moines Public Library locations: East Side Library (2559 Hubbell Ave), Franklin Avenue Library (5000 Franklin Ave), and South Side Library (1111 Porter Ave).

💡 Gold Lid Recycling Program. Des Moines recognizes top recyclers with a gold lid for their recycling cart. Take the Recycling Quiz on DSM.city to learn more and earn your gold lid. One contaminated cart can ruin an entire truckload.
Yard Waste — Year-Round

Des Moines Yard Waste Collection — Collected Every Week, Even in Winter

Des Moines is notable for providing year-round weekly yard waste collection — a rarity in the Midwest. Yard waste is collected on your regular garbage day using an optional city cart or approved bags. Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.

🗎 Acceptable Yard Waste Containers

  • Premium Yard Waste Cart (subscription): 64-gal at $8.34/mo or 96-gal at $10.42/mo — 12-month commitment. Call (515) 283-4950 to subscribe.
  • “Compost It!” bags — no sticker required. Available at local grocery, hardware, and pharmacy stores or order online from Metro Waste Authority.
  • Generic paper bags with a green $1.25 “Compost It!” sticker attached. Max 40 lbs each.
  • Cardboard boxes (max 2′×2′×3′) with a “Compost It!” sticker. Max 40 lbs.

✅ Accepted Yard Waste

  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Brush and branches (cut to 4 ft, tied in bundles, max 1.5 ft diameter, max 2.5 in thick, max 40 lbs)
  • Flower and garden plantings
  • Hedge trimmings
  • Twigs
  • Christmas trees (real, with green $1.25 sticker; stripped of all ornaments/tinsel/bags)

🚫 Not Accepted in Yard Waste

  • Plastic bags of any kind
  • Landscaping rocks or soil
  • Pet waste
  • Tree stumps or logs > 2.5 inches diameter
  • Yard waste in garbage or recycling carts (cart will not be collected)
  • Artificial/fake Christmas trees → use a pink $5 large item sticker
📌 Do NOT rake leaves or blow grass into the street. City ordinance prohibits placing leaves or grass clippings in city streets. Fines: $50 (first offense), $75 (second offense same year), $100 (third offense same year). Report violations through the myDSMmobile app or by calling (515) 283-4950.
Bulk Trash & Appliances

Des Moines Bulk Trash & Appliances — Pink Sticker System

Des Moines uses a pink sticker system for extra and bulk items. Unlike many cities, bulk pickup is not free — each item or bag requires a pink sticker purchased at local retailers. Call (515) 283-4950 at least 24 hours before your collection day to schedule bulk or appliance pickup.

📌 How the Pink Sticker System Works

  1. Extra trash bags or small boxes (max 2′×2′×3′, max 40 lbs): require a pink $1 Extra Trash Sticker per bag/box. Place at curb by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day — no scheduling needed.
  2. Large items that don’t fit in the garbage cart (furniture, mattresses, rolled carpet): require a pink $5 Large Item Sticker per item. Call (515) 283-4950 at least 24 hours before your regular pickup day to schedule.
  3. Appliances (fridge, washer, dryer, AC, stove, etc.): cost $35 per appliance = seven (7) pink $5 stickers. Must be scheduled for the next Monday. Call (515) 283-4950.
  4. Place stickered items at curbside by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, with stickers facing toward the street.
  5. Purchase pink stickers at select grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores. Visit DSM.city/bulk for a full list of sticker locations.

✅ Items Accepted with Pink Stickers

  • Sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames
  • Mattresses and box springs
  • Rolled carpet (max 4 ft long, 18 in diameter per roll — 1 sticker per 5 rolls)
  • Appliances (fridge, washer, dryer, dishwasher, AC, water heater, stove, freezer, microwave, dehumidifier) — $35 each
  • Extra bags or boxes of regular trash (max 40 lbs)

🚫 Not Collected Curbside

  • Tires → MWA Metro Park East Landfill, (515) 967-2076
  • Hazardous waste → MWA HHW site in Bondurant
  • Railroad ties, landscape timbers, pianos, garage doors
  • Large screen TVs → MWA Metro Park East Landfill
  • Construction or demolition debris
  • Commercial or business waste
💡 No free curbside spring cleanup in Des Moines. Unlike some neighboring communities, Des Moines does not offer a free annual curbside bulk cleanup. Use the pink sticker system for individual large items, or take items to a SCRUB Event for free drop-off.
SCRUB Events

Des Moines SCRUB Events — Free Monthly Drop-Off (March–November)

SCRUB stands for Spring Cleanup to Reduce Urban Blight. These free monthly drop-off events are held the third Saturday of every month, March through November, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Des Moines residents bring large trash, bulk yard waste, and (at MEGA SCRUB events) household hazardous waste. Bring a photo ID or current utility bill as proof of residency.

🚩 Metro Central Transfer Station

4198 Delaware Ave, Des Moines

Every SCRUB Saturday • 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

🚩 Des Moines Compost Center

1601 Harriet St, Des Moines

Yard and tree debris only • 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

🚩 MEGA SCRUB Events (Select Months)

Neighborhood locations rotate. Includes household hazardous waste drop-off (limited capacity — arrive early).

7 a.m.–1 p.m.

📅 2026 SCRUB Calendar

Mar 21 • Apr 18 (MEGA) • May 16 (MEGA) • Jun 20 (MEGA) • Jul 18 • Aug 15 • Sep 19 (MEGA) • Oct 17 • Nov 21

⚠ SCRUB events can have long wait times. Events are free and popular. Arrive early, especially at MEGA SCRUB events offering hazardous waste drop-off. Visit DSM.city/SCRUB for current guidelines and any schedule changes.
HHW & Electronics

Des Moines Hazardous Waste & Electronics Drop-Off

Des Moines partners with Metro Waste Authority (MWA) for household hazardous waste and electronics disposal. The primary permanent drop-off site is the MWA Household Hazardous Waste facility in Bondurant, open year-round.

🚩 MWA Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant, IA 50035

Call for hours: (515) 967-5512

Batteries, chemicals, paint, electronics, propane, sharps, motor oil

🚩 MWA Metro Park East Landfill

12181 NE 12th Ave (Hwy 163), Mitchellville, IA

Call: (515) 967-2076

Appliances, tires, large items, big screen TVs

🚩 MEGA SCRUB HHW Drop-Off

Selected SCRUB Saturdays (Apr, May, Jun, Sep) include HHW drop-off.

Limited capacity — early arrival strongly advised

💾 Electronics / E-Waste

Visit WhereItShouldGo.com for current e-waste drop-off locations and options near Des Moines.

✅ Accepted at MWA HHW

  • Batteries (all types)
  • Paint (latex and oil-based)
  • Garden chemicals, herbicides, pesticides
  • Motor oil and antifreeze
  • Propane tanks
  • Electronics: TVs, computers, phones, tablets
  • Fluorescent and CFL bulbs
  • Syringes and lancets (in puncture-proof container)
  • Solvents, pool chemicals

🚫 Not Accepted at MWA HHW

  • Tires → MWA Metro Park East Landfill
  • Commercial or business waste
  • Explosives or ammunition
  • Radioactive materials
  • Regular household trash or furniture
  • Containers that held motor oil in the garbage cart → garbage cart is OK
💡 Note: Motor oil and antifreeze containers that previously held those fluids can go in the garbage cart. However, the actual liquid chemicals themselves must go to MWA HHW. Visit WhereItShouldGo.com for any disposal question not answered here.
Missed Pickup

What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in Des Moines

  1. Verify your collection day and recycling week using Show Me My House or call (515) 283-4950. Confirm whether it is your recycling week (yellow or orange).
  2. Check the holiday schedule. Memorial Day and Labor Day delay all customers one day. Thanksgiving delays Thursday/Friday customers; Christmas delays only Friday customers.
  3. Verify cart placement: out by 7 a.m., within 18 inches of curb, lid closed, metal bar facing street, 3 feet from all obstacles, not under tree branches.
  4. Report a missed pickup before 5 p.m. the day after your scheduled collection. Call (515) 283-4950 or submit a Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Request Form online. Missed pickups reported after 5 p.m. the following day are subject to a $25 collection fee.
  5. If your cart was out after 7 a.m. on collection day, a $25 fee applies even if you report it promptly.
📌 Carts placed after 7 a.m. on collection day will be subject to a $25 fee, billed to your Des Moines Water Works monthly bill. Always set carts out the evening before or by 7 a.m.
Local Tips

Des Moines Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know

🏠 New to Des Moines or Just Moved In?

Garbage service starts automatically when you set up water service with Des Moines Water Works at (515) 283-8700. A garbage cart should already be at your new address. If missing, call Public Works at (515) 283-4950. Use Show Me My House to confirm your collection day and recycling week. A free recycling cart can be requested at any time — no fee.

🌿 Yard Waste Year-Round — Unique to Des Moines

Des Moines proudly offers yard waste collection every week of the year, including winter months. Most neighboring communities stop collecting yard waste in late fall. Use “Compost It!” bags or a premium cart subscription to take advantage of this service all year.

🚫 5 Common Mistakes Des Moines Residents Make

  • Forgetting that recycling is every other week — always check your sticker color (yellow vs. orange) or verify via Show Me My House
  • Putting plastic bags, Styrofoam, or food-contaminated paper in the blue recycling cart
  • Putting yard waste in plastic bags — only paper bags, Compost It! bags, or the premium cart are accepted
  • Not calling ahead for bulk or appliance pickup — pink stickers are required and bulk items must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance
  • Raking leaves into the street — this is a fineable offense ($50–$100) and clogs storm drains
Contact

Contact Des Moines Public Works & Waste Services

ContactDetails
Public Works 24/7 Customer Service📞 (515) 283-4950 — 24 hours, 7 days a week — missed pickups, bulk scheduling, cart requests, all solid waste services
Show Me My House (Address Lookup)showmemyhouse.dsm.city — find your collection day, recycling week, and service details by address
Online Service Request FormGarbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Request Form — report missed pickups, request carts, cart repairs
Public Works Solid Waste OfficeMunicipal Service Center 2 • 1700 Maury St, Des Moines, IA 50317 • publicworks@dmgov.org
DSM City Websitedsm.city — Garbage, Recycling & Cleanup
Recycling CalendarBiweekly recycling schedule calendar at DSM.city
SCRUB EventsFree, third Saturday monthly Mar–Nov • DSM.city/SCRUB
MWA Hazardous Waste (HHW)1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant, IA • (515) 967-5512mwatoday.com
WhereItShouldGo.com (MWA)WhereItShouldGo.com — full recycling guide for anything not collected curbside
Des Moines Water Works(515) 283-8700 — start/stop garbage service, billing questions
myDSMmobile AppFree iOS & Android app — report problems, request services, contact city departments
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — Des Moines Trash Pickup

Your collection day depends on your specific address. Use the Collection Day Finder at the top of this page, enter your address at showmemyhouse.dsm.city, or call (515) 283-4950 (24/7) to find your assigned weekday. All three services — garbage, recycling, and yard waste — are collected on the same day.
The easiest way is to enter your address at showmemyhouse.dsm.city. This will show your garbage day, recycling week (yellow or orange), and other service details. You can also call (515) 283-4950 anytime, 24 hours a day.
Recycling is collected every other week (biweekly) on your regular garbage day. Your blue cart has either a yellow or orange sticker on the lid indicating which alternating week applies to your address. Verify your week at showmemyhouse.dsm.city or the Recycling Calendar. Recycling is free and an optional service; carts are provided at no charge upon request.
In 2026, Memorial Day (May 25) and Labor Day (Sep 7) delay all customers by one day, with Friday collection moving to Saturday. Thanksgiving (Nov 26) delays only Thursday and Friday customers. Christmas (Dec 25) delays only Friday customers. MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Veterans Day are all normal service days. The 24/7 Customer Service line at (515) 283-4950 can confirm any holiday impacts.
Des Moines uses a pink sticker system. Furniture, mattresses, and large items each require a pink $5 Large Item Sticker and must be scheduled at least 24 hours before your regular collection day by calling (515) 283-4950. Stickers are sold at local grocery, hardware, and pharmacy stores. Alternatively, take items for free to a monthly SCRUB event at the Metro Central Transfer Station (4198 Delaware Ave) on the third Saturday, March through November.
Accepted in the blue cart, loose and never bagged: paper, flattened cardboard, food cartons, plastic containers #1 and #2 (with lids on), aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and shredded paper (in a paper bag). Not accepted: plastic bags, Styrofoam, plastic #3–#7, food-soiled paper, electronics, aluminum foil, or clothing.
Yes. Des Moines Public Works provides year-round weekly yard waste collection, including during winter months. This distinguishes Des Moines from most surrounding communities in the metro area. Use an optional premium cart subscription, Compost It! bags, or approved paper bags with a green Compost It! sticker. Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.
The MWA Household Hazardous Waste facility is at 1105 Prairie Drive SW in Bondurant, IA. Call (515) 967-5512 for hours. Accepted: batteries, paint, chemicals, motor oil, electronics, fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks, syringes. MEGA SCRUB events (April, May, June, September) also include hazardous waste drop-off on-site at rotating neighborhood locations, with limited capacity.
SCRUB stands for Spring Cleanup to Reduce Urban Blight. These are free monthly drop-off events held the third Saturday of each month, March through November, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can bring large trash, bulk yard waste, and at MEGA SCRUB events, household hazardous waste. Bring photo ID or a utility bill. The main location is the Metro Central Transfer Station at 4198 Delaware Ave.
Call (515) 283-4950 (24/7) or submit a request at the online form. Report before 5 p.m. the day after your scheduled pickup for free re-collection. Reports made after 5 p.m. the following day are subject to a $25 fee. Carts placed after 7 a.m. on collection day are also subject to the $25 fee even if reported promptly.
Official Source

Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?

The official Show Me My House address tool is the most accurate way to find your collection day, recycling week, and service details. Enter your Des Moines address to get your personalized schedule instantly.

🔍 Official Des Moines Lookup & Contact Options

All of the following are free and will confirm your exact schedule and service details:

🔍 Show Me My House 📞 Call (515) 283-4950
Show Me My Houseshowmemyhouse.dsm.city — official address-based lookup: collection day, recycling week (yellow/orange), yard waste day, and service details.
24/7 Customer Service(515) 283-4950 — available 24 hours, every day including holidays. Missed pickups, bulk scheduling, cart requests, all Solid Waste services.
Recycling CalendarDSM.city Recycling Calendar — view yellow and orange week dates by month.
Online Request FormGarbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Request Form — report missed pickups, request carts, report damaged carts.
WhereItShouldGo.comWhereItShouldGo.com — Metro Waste Authority guide for anything not accepted in your curbside carts.
MWA HHW Drop-Off (Bondurant)1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant, IA • (515) 967-5512 • Hazardous waste, electronics, batteries, paint, propane.

You will leave this website when using any of the links above. Show Me My House and DSM.city are the official sources for all Des Moines address-based service information.

Outside City of Des Moines limits? Surrounding communities including Ankeny, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Ames, and unincorporated Polk County have their own waste providers. Contact Metro Waste Authority at mwatoday.com or (515) 244-0021 for metro-area resources.
Other Cities

Trash & Recycling Schedules for Other US Cities

Looking for waste collection information in another city? Here are cities we’ve already covered with full schedules, recycling rules, and bulk pickup guides: