Recycling Centers in Iowa City, IA
Find drop-off recycling locations in Iowa City, Iowa. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Residents of Iowa City, Iowa can use this directory to locate nearby recycling drop-off locations. Whether you have household recyclables or specialty items like electronics or batteries, the facilities listed here can help you dispose of materials responsibly.
Recycling in Iowa City: A Local Guide
Iowa City, Iowa has 5 recycling options listed on recycling-centers.org, including the city-run East Side Recycling Center and the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, a bottle-and-can redemption depot (Can Shed Iowa City), a scrap metal yard (Muscatine Metals) and an auto recycler (Eastern Iowa Auto Recycling). The City of Iowa City operates single-stream curbside recycling for residents in single-family homes up to four-unit buildings for a fee billed on the utility statement, so residents don't need to sort materials. See more Iowa cities on our Iowa recycling hub.
For drop-off, the city's East Side Recycling Center on Scott Blvd and the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center handle a wide range of materials and bulky items. To redeem Iowa's 5-cent bottle-and-can deposit, Can Shed Iowa City takes eligible containers. For scrap metal and vehicles, see Muscatine Metals and Eastern Iowa Auto Recycling. Check each center's page to confirm what it accepts.
Need more options nearby? Our directory also covers Des Moines (24), Waterloo (13), Cedar Falls (4) and Ames (4). You can also browse everything on the Iowa state hub.
All Recycling Centers in Iowa City
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Iowa City
What goes in Iowa City's curbside recycling cart?
Iowa City curbside recycling is single stream, so you don't sort it. The city accepts cardboard, paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail, chipboard, waxy cartons and clean pizza boxes) and metal cans and foil. Glass, plastic bags and Styrofoam are NOT accepted in the cart. Confirm the current accepted list with Iowa City Resource Management.
Is curbside recycling free in Iowa City?
No. Curbside recycling is available to residents in single-family homes up to four-unit buildings for a monthly fee on the city utility bill. Larger multifamily and commercial properties arrange service separately. Check the City of Iowa City's current utility fee schedule for the exact amount.
Where do I recycle glass in Iowa City?
Glass is not accepted in the curbside cart because it lowers the quality of single-stream material. Take glass to a drop-off site such as the East Side Recycling Center instead. Accepted glass types can change, so confirm with the city before dropping off.
Where can I return cans and bottles for the deposit in Iowa City?
Iowa has a 5-cent deposit on many beverage containers. Can Shed Iowa City is a redemption depot that takes eligible cans and bottles and pays the refund. Accepted container types and hours vary, so check the Can Shed page on this site and confirm before a large drop-off.