Des Moines Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: Collection Day, Recycling, Yard Waste, Bulk Items and Holiday Delays
This Des Moines trash pickup schedule guide helps residents find the correct garbage collection day, use the Show Me My House address lookup, understand blue recycling cart weeks, set carts out correctly, check 2026 holiday delays, schedule large items with pink stickers, use SCRUB events, and handle hazardous waste without guessing.
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Quick Answer for Des Moines Residents
Des Moines residential garbage is collected weekly on an assigned day by address. Put garbage, recycling and yard waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before, and keep carts at least 3 feet from carts, bags, bundles, mailboxes, fences, walls, utility poles and other fixed objects. Use Show Me My House for your address-specific pickup day.
Address decides it
Garbage pickup is not one citywide day. Your route depends on your Des Moines address, so use the official lookup before setting reminders.
Runs year-round
Unlike some nearby communities, Des Moines collects yard waste year-round on your regular garbage collection day.
Use pink stickers
Large items need a $5 pink Large Item sticker. Appliances need seven stickers and a scheduled pickup.
Do not assume
Labor Day delays all customers. Thanksgiving and Christmas affect only certain routes. Juneteenth, Independence Day and Veterans Day have no delay in the current 2026 schedule.
This guide is for Des Moines, Iowa. West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Johnston, Altoona, Pleasant Hill and other metro communities may use different schedules, haulers or Metro Waste Authority contact paths.
How to Find Your Des Moines Trash Pickup Day by Address
People often search “Des Moines trash pickup near me,” “what day is garbage collection in Des Moines,” or “Des Moines garbage schedule by address.” The practical answer is the same: use the official Show Me My House lookup, because pickup is assigned by address.
- Open Show Me My House. Type your full address, including house number and street name.
- Check the garbage day. Save the weekday shown for your address. Do not copy a neighbor’s day unless the official lookup matches.
- Check your recycling week. Des Moines blue recycling carts are collected every two weeks on either yellow weeks or orange weeks.
- Add a reminder. Use a night-before alert and a morning alert, because collection can start early.
- Check holiday weeks separately. A normal weekday reminder can be wrong during Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holiday weeks.
Garbage collection starts when you set up water service with Des Moines Water Works. If carts are missing after you move in, call Des Moines Public Works at 515-283-4950 instead of buying random cans.
Des Moines Cart Placement Rules That Prevent Missed Pickup
A correct pickup day does not guarantee collection if the cart is blocked, late, overloaded or placed wrong. Des Moines uses curbside rules that help crews collect safely and keep neighborhoods clean.
Correct set-out checklist
- Place carts at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on collection day.
- Set carts out no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before collection.
- Remove carts within 12 hours after collection.
- Place carts on a level surface no more than 18 inches from the street or within arm’s length.
- Keep carts at least 3 feet from other carts, yard bags, bundles, mailboxes, fences, walls, utility poles and stationary objects.
- Put garbage inside the cart and close the lid.
Reasons carts get skipped
- Cart placed out after 7 a.m.
- Lid propped open by extra bags or bulky items.
- Cart hidden behind parked cars, snow piles, poles or low branches.
- Yard waste placed in the garbage cart.
- Recycling placed in plastic bags.
- Large item placed out without required sticker or scheduling.
The safest habit is to set carts out after 5 p.m. the night before, check lid closure, and leave 3 feet of open space around each cart. That one habit solves most “missed pickup” problems before they happen.
Des Moines Recycling Schedule: Blue Cart, Yellow Weeks and Orange Weeks
Des Moines recycling carts are blue and collected every two weeks. Your recycling week is tied to the city recycling calendar and your address. If you search “Des Moines recycling schedule 2026” or “blue cart pickup Des Moines,” the real task is to confirm whether your home is on a yellow week or orange week and then keep recyclables loose in the cart.
| Recycling question | Des Moines answer | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| How often is recycling collected? | Every two weeks. | Use Show Me My House and the recycling calendar to confirm your week. |
| What color is the cart? | Des Moines uses blue recycling carts. | Do not confuse this with surrounding communities using green Curb It! carts. |
| Can recyclables be bagged? | No. Recyclables should be loose. | Empty your indoor bin into the blue cart loose. Plastic bags can send good recyclables to the landfill. |
| What is generally accepted? | Paper, accepted plastic containers with twist-off lids, aluminum and tin cans, glass bottles and jars. | Briefly rinse containers and break down boxes. |
| What needs special handling? | Batteries, electronics, paint, hazardous waste, appliances, foam, plastic bags and many large items. | Use the recycling and disposal guide, HHW drop-off, SCRUB or a facility route. |
Des Moines Yard Waste Pickup: Year-Round Collection on Garbage Day
Des Moines yard waste collection runs year-round on your regular garbage collection day. This matters because many Central Iowa residents are used to seasonal yard waste rules in nearby cities, but Des Moines gives residents a year-round option when material is prepared correctly.
Yard waste basics
- Use appropriate yard waste bags or a yard waste cart.
- Bags must not exceed 40 pounds.
- Yard waste carts must not exceed 200 pounds.
- Brush and limbs must be bundled and tied with a Compost It! sticker attached.
- Keep yard waste at least 3 feet away from carts, mailboxes and fixed objects.
- For yard waste carts, the metal bar should face the street and the lid must be closed.
Yard waste mistakes
- Do not put yard waste in the garbage cart.
- Do not overfill carts or bags.
- Do not place carts under low hanging tree branches.
- Do not set yard waste out too early.
- Do not assume loose oversized branches will be collected without a sticker or bundle.
Real holiday trees can be collected on your regular garbage day any time of year if they are free of ornaments and tinsel and have a green Compost It! sticker. Fake trees need a pink $5 Large Item sticker and pickup scheduling through 515-283-4950.
Des Moines 2026 Holiday Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Schedule
Des Moines holiday pickup does not delay every city holiday. Some holidays have no delay, some delay all customers, and some affect only Thursday or Friday routes. Use this table before you roll carts out during a holiday week.
| 2026 holiday | Trash pickup impact | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day — Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 | Check the official holiday page or past city notice for already-passed January service details. | For archive or billing questions, call Public Works. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 | City holiday, but curbside collection rules may differ from office closures. | Use official holiday pickup page, not only the office holiday list. |
| Memorial Day — Monday, May 25, 2026 | No collection Monday; garbage, recycling and yard waste delayed one day for all residents for the rest of the week. | Monday routes move to Tuesday; Friday routes move to Saturday. |
| Juneteenth — Friday, June 19, 2026 | No delay to waste collection services. | Have garbage, recycling and yard waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on the normal pickup day. |
| Independence Day — Saturday, July 4, 2026 | No delay to waste collection services. | Normal pickup week. |
| Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 | Pickup delayed one day for all customers. | Monday routes move to Tuesday; Friday routes move to Saturday. |
| Veterans Day — Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 | No delay to waste collection services. | Use your normal pickup day. |
| Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 | Thursday and Friday customers are delayed one day. | Thursday pickup occurs Friday; Friday pickup occurs Saturday. |
| Christmas Day — Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 | Friday customers are delayed one day. | Friday pickup occurs Saturday. |
| New Year’s Day — Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 | Friday customers are delayed one day. | Friday pickup occurs Saturday. |
Do not use the general City office holiday list as your only trash calendar. Des Moines says the office holiday schedule differs from the Public Works garbage, recycling and yard waste delay schedule.
Des Moines Trash Night Tools: Save This Page and Reuse It
These tools help residents answer the practical questions behind “Des Moines trash pickup schedule,” “is trash delayed this week,” “how many stickers do I need,” and “can this go in the blue cart?” They are planning helpers, not official dispatch tools.
Des Moines Bulk Trash and Appliances: Pink Sticker Rules
Large items, extra bags and appliances are not handled like normal cart garbage. Des Moines uses pink stickers and scheduling rules. This is the section to read before putting out a couch, mattress, carpet, appliance or extra trash bag.
| Item type | Des Moines rule | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture, couches, dressers, tables, mattresses, bed frames, box springs | Requires one pink $5 Large Item sticker per item. | Call 515-283-4950 at least 24 hours before your next regular collection day and place sticker facing the street by 7 a.m. |
| Appliances | Requires seven pink $5 Large Item stickers, equal to a $35 collection fee. | Call 515-283-4950. Appliances are collected on the following Monday after scheduling. |
| Extra trash bags or boxes | Requires a pink $1 Extra Trash sticker per eligible bag or box. | Keep boxes no larger than 2′ × 2′ × 3′ and no more than 40 pounds. |
| Carpet rolls | One $5 sticker covers up to five tied rolls if size limits are met; single rolls may need a $1 sticker. | Roll and tie carpet. Keep rolls 4 feet or less in length and 18 inches or less in diameter. |
| Bulk yard waste | Requires green Compost It! sticker when it does not fit normal yard waste setup. | Bundle branches and prepare material under yard waste rules. |
Common options
The City lists sticker purchase locations including City Hall, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Fareway and Cash Saver locations in Des Moines. Check the official page before driving because store participation can change.
Sticker is not the whole process
For large items and appliances, call Public Works. A sticker on a curb item without proper timing or scheduling can still create a missed pickup problem.
Des Moines SCRUB Events 2026: Free Drop-Off for Residents
SCRUB events are for Des Moines residents who need a free drop-off option for large trash items, bulk yard waste and other accepted materials. Bring proof of residency, expect possible wait times, and review guidelines before loading your vehicle.
| 2026 date | Locations listed by the City | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| March 21 | Metro Central Transfer Station, 4198 Delaware Ave.; City Compost Center, 1601 Harriet St. | 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| April 18 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center; MEGA SCRUB at Merle Hay Mall, 3800 Merle Hay Rd. | Transfer/Compost 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; MEGA 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| May 16 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center; MEGA SCRUB at Polk County River Place, 2309 Euclid Ave. | Transfer/Compost 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; MEGA 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| June 20 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center; MEGA SCRUB at Capitol Complex Lot #3. | Transfer/Compost 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; MEGA 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| July 18 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center. | 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| August 15 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center. | 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| September 19 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center; MEGA SCRUB at Bell Avenue Business Center, 1901 Bell Ave. | Transfer/Compost 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; MEGA 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| October 17 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center. | 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| November 21 | Metro Central Transfer Station; City Compost Center. | 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Examples
SCRUB guidelines list general trash including furniture, lawn mowers with oil and gas drained, televisions, computers, tires within limits, and many appliances at eligible Metro Central or MEGA SCRUB locations.
Bring proof
Bring a photo ID or current utility bill. SCRUB is for Des Moines residents only, not commercial haulers. Plan to unload your own vehicle quickly.
Hazardous Waste, Batteries, Paint, Electronics and Drop-Off Help
Do not put hazardous materials in regular garbage, recycling or yard waste carts. In the Des Moines metro, Metro Waste Authority provides hazardous waste drop-off options, and MEGA SCRUB events may include limited household hazardous waste disposal.
Keep out of carts
Items labeled toxic, corrosive, flammable or dangerous should not go in household carts. This includes many paints, oils, cleaners, pesticides, pool chemicals, batteries and solvents.
Bondurant location
Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off is listed at 1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, with posted Tuesday–Friday and Saturday hours.
Limited HHW capacity
MEGA SCRUB events may offer HHW disposal, but capacity is limited and fills quickly. Arrive early and confirm accepted items before going.
Batteries and rechargeable devices can start fires in trucks and facilities. Use Metro Waste Authority battery and hazardous waste drop-off guidance instead of putting batteries in a curb cart.
Metro Park East Landfill, Compost Center and Transfer Station Notes
Some items are better handled by drop-off, SCRUB or a Metro Waste Authority facility instead of curbside carts. Before driving, confirm public access, hours, holiday closures, accepted materials and fees.
| Facility / option | Good for | Need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Park East Landfill — 12181 NE University Ave., Mitchellville | Landfill drop-off and Metro Compost Center access. | Open Monday–Friday with seasonal Saturday hours; closed major holidays. |
| City of Des Moines Compost Center — 1601 Harriet St. | SCRUB yard debris drop-off during listed SCRUB events. | Yard debris at SCRUB includes brush, limbs, leaves, grass clippings, straw, hay and garden waste. |
| Metro Central Transfer Station — 4198 Delaware Ave. | SCRUB events and commercial hauler transfer station use. | Metro’s regular station page notes it is not open to the public outside applicable programs. |
| Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off — 1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant | Hazardous waste, certain batteries, chemicals and special disposal routes. | Use Metro rules before transporting anything toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive. |
Des Moines Trash Service by Property Type
The correct answer changes depending on whether you live in a single-family home, duplex, apartment, condo, HOA area or business. Do not use the same instructions for every property type.
City curbside service
Use the City garbage, recycling and yard waste pages. Confirm the exact pickup day through Show Me My House and call Public Works for carts or missed pickup.
Ask management first
Your building may use dumpsters, private hauling or internal rules. Ask where trash goes, what day service occurs, and whether bulky items need manager approval.
Commercial rules apply
Commercial haulers and business hazardous waste have separate disposal rules. Do not use residential SCRUB or curbside programs for business waste.
Ask the landlord: Who is the hauler? Where are carts or dumpsters? What day is pickup? Are large items allowed? Who buys stickers? Who reports missed pickup?
Missed Des Moines Trash Pickup: What to Check Before Calling
A missed pickup can be a true route issue, but it can also be caused by a holiday delay, late set-out, blocked cart, open lid, contamination, wrong recycling week or unscheduled bulky item.
Quick self-check
- Was it your correct pickup day by address?
- Was your cart out by 7 a.m.?
- Was there a 2026 holiday delay?
- Was the cart at least 3 feet from carts, bags, mailboxes and fixed objects?
- Was the lid closed?
- Was recycling on the correct yellow or orange week?
- Were recyclables loose, not bagged?
- Was the item actually a large item needing stickers and scheduling?
Use Public Works
For missed collection, cart repairs, replacement carts, additional carts or service questions, use the Des Moines garbage, recycling and yard waste request form or call 515-283-4950.
Des Moines Trash Pickup Map: City Hall and Sticker Help
The map below points to Des Moines City Hall, one of the listed places for pink Large Item and Extra Trash stickers. Do not use a map pin to decide your weekly pickup day. Use Show Me My House for your exact address.
Helpful Video: City of Des Moines Yard Waste Disposal Guide
This City of Des Moines video is useful when you need a quick visual reminder for yard waste disposal, stickers, bags and keeping material out of the wrong cart.
Official Des Moines Links Residents Actually Need
Use the right link for the job. This prevents the common mistake of using a general holiday page when you need the trash delay page, or using a recycling page when you actually need bulk item stickers.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These links support the Des Moines resident workflow: tools for holiday and bulk decisions, a nearby Iowa city guide, and the main site hub for other cities.
Search Intent Coverage: What This Page Solves
This guide is built for real resident needs behind searches like Des Moines trash pickup schedule 2026, Des Moines garbage collection, trash pickup near me, Show Me My House garbage day, Des Moines recycling schedule, blue cart pickup, Des Moines holiday trash delay, large item sticker, pink sticker pickup, appliance pickup, yard waste pickup, SCRUB events, hazardous waste drop-off, missed trash pickup and Metro Waste Authority disposal help. Each topic is answered with a practical section, table, tool, checklist, FAQ or official link instead of being pasted as a keyword list.
Address-first answer
The page sends residents to Show Me My House and explains why address-based lookup is more reliable than guessing from a neighbor.
Cart rules and holiday logic
The page covers 7 a.m. set-out, 3-foot spacing, 5 p.m. early set-out limit, holiday changes and recycling week confusion.
Bulk, SCRUB and HHW
The page separates regular cart service from pink stickers, SCRUB events, Metro facilities and hazardous waste drop-off.
Des Moines Trash Pickup FAQ
How do I find my Des Moines trash pickup day?
Use the official Show Me My House lookup and enter your Des Moines address. Garbage pickup is assigned by address, so a general citywide weekday can be wrong.
What time should Des Moines garbage carts be out?
Place carts at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day. Carts should not be placed out earlier than 5 p.m. the day before collection.
How far should carts be from objects in Des Moines?
Keep carts at least 3 feet from other carts, yard bags, bundles, mailboxes, fences, walls, utility poles and other stationary objects.
Is Des Moines recycling weekly or every other week?
Des Moines blue recycling carts are collected every two weeks. Use Show Me My House and the recycling calendar to confirm whether your home is on a yellow week or orange week.
Can I put recyclables in plastic bags?
No. Recyclables should be loose in the blue cart. Plastic bags can cause sorting problems and may send otherwise recyclable material to the landfill.
Does Des Moines collect yard waste year-round?
Yes. Des Moines Public Works provides yard waste collection year-round on your regular garbage collection day when material is properly prepared.
How do I schedule a large item pickup in Des Moines?
Call Des Moines Public Works at 515-283-4950 at least 24 hours before your next regular collection day. Large items need pink $5 Large Item stickers and must be placed curbside by 7 a.m. with the sticker facing the street.
How many stickers are needed for appliances?
Appliances require seven pink $5 Large Item stickers, which equals a $35 collection fee. Schedule pickup by calling 515-283-4950.
What holidays delay Des Moines trash pickup in 2026?
Memorial Day delayed all residents for the rest of that week. Labor Day delays all customers. Thanksgiving delays Thursday and Friday customers. Christmas delays Friday customers. Juneteenth, Independence Day and Veterans Day show no delay on the current city holiday pickup page.
What are SCRUB events in Des Moines?
SCRUB events are free Des Moines resident drop-off events held from March through November. Bring proof of residency and review guidelines before going.
Where do batteries, paint, oil or chemicals go?
Use Metro Waste Authority hazardous waste guidance or a qualifying MEGA SCRUB event. Do not place hazardous waste in regular garbage, recycling or yard waste carts.
Who do I call for missed trash pickup in Des Moines?
Call Des Moines Public Works at 515-283-4950 or use the city garbage, recycling and yard waste service request form after checking timing, holiday delay, cart spacing, contamination and recycling week.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the City of Des Moines?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. For live route changes, official decisions, fees, service requests and appointments, use the official City of Des Moines and Metro Waste Authority links on this page.
Final Des Moines Resident Summary
For 2026, Des Moines residents should use Show Me My House for the exact pickup day, place carts at the curb by 7 a.m., keep carts at least 3 feet from obstacles, set carts out no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before, and remove carts within 12 hours after collection.
Garbage is collected weekly. Blue recycling carts are collected every two weeks on yellow or orange weeks. Yard waste is collected year-round on your regular garbage day when properly prepared. Large items need pink $5 stickers and scheduling. Appliances need seven stickers. SCRUB events and Metro Waste Authority facilities help with bulk drop-off, yard debris and hazardous waste that should not go in normal carts.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
Holiday calculator | Buck-A-Bag counter | Recycling checker
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Call (615) 794-1516 to confirm