Garbage Collection

The City of Urbandale collects residential garbage using fully-automated collection vehicles. This program allows the city to provide more efficient service and reduce overall collection costs.

In order for the program to work effectively, the city needs the cooperation of every household. Please follow the guidelines below to ensure that your garbage collection goes smoothly. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Public Works Division at 515-278-3950:
  • Please use a city-supplied, standardized garbage container. If you do not have one of these containers, please email or call 515-278-3950.
  • Please place all of your garbage (excluding yard waste and recycling) within the garbage container. Garbage that is not inside the container can not be collected.
  • Please place your garbage container at the curb, with the wheels away from the street, by 6:30 a.m. on your collection day. In order for the collection vehicle to grasp the container effectively, it must be within 18 inches of the curb and at least 4 feet from any obstacles (e.g., mailboxes, signs, trees, utility structures).
  • Also please close the lid on the container, and make sure it is not near any parked cars.

Holiday Schedule


If a holiday falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, there is no collection on the holiday, collection is delayed 1 day for the remainder of the week. Holidays for 2019 without trash or recycling collection are:
  •  Memorial Day- Monday, May 27th (All collections delayed one day)
  •  4th of July- Thursday, July 4th (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on schedule, Thursday collection will be delayed by one day)
  • Labor Day- Monday, September 2nd (All collections delayed one day)
  • Thanksgiving- Thursday, November 28th (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on schedule, Thursday delayed one day)
  • Christmas- Wednesday, December 25th (Monday and Tuesday on schedule, Wednesday and Thursday delayed one day)
  • New Year's Day 2020- Wednesday, January 1st (Monday and Tuesday on schedule, Wednesday and Thursday delayed one day)
Collection normally scheduled for these days will occur on the following weekday, collection will be delayed by 1 day for the remainder of the week.

 

 

Cart Placements


Correct Cart Placement

Correct Placement of Single Cart
Correct Placement of 2 Carts
Incorrect Cart Placement
Incorrect Placement of a Single Cart
Incorrect Placement of 2 Carts
Acceptable Materials
Most non-hazardous materials may be discarded in the blue garbage container. This includes household garbage and trash.

The following materials should not be discarded in the blue container:
  • Ammunition or explosives
  • Automobile tires and batteries
  • Construction debris
  • Hazardous materials, including paints, stains, and thinners
  • Propane canisters
  • Yard waste
Hazardous material can be disposed of at the MWA's Regional Collection Center or at special mobile unit locations. Learn more about hazardous waste disposal options.