• Recycling is collected Bi-Weekly on your regular garbage collection day. 
• A Yellow or Orange sticker on your recycle cart lid identifies which week recycling is collected. 
• What day and week is my Recycling collected? 
• Recycle Calendar – Yellow/Orange Routes

• Recycling is included with your garbage collection services and is available to all residents.
• Recycle carts are free of charge and are available upon request.  
• For information on the program or to request a Recycle cart you may contact the Department of Public Works, 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 515-283-4950 or you may request a cart online Recycling Request Form Recycling Request Form Recycling Request Form Recycling Request Form

• Put your recyclables inside the cart
• Close the cart lid.  This prevents the scattering of debris by wind and animals.
• At curb no later than 7:00 am on garbage day (or) no earlier than 5:00 pm the day before
• Place at curb on a level surface (no more than 18” from the street or arms length)
• Cart should be at least 3 feet from all permanent structures. (other collection carts, yard bags or bundles, mailboxes, fences, wall, utility poles and other stationary items on the curb).
• Metal bar must face the street
• The lid must be closed.  Do not over fill the cart.
• DO NOT place cart under low hanging tree branches. 

• Contact us at 515-283-4950 to report missed garbage collection (or) Recycle Request Form.
• What you should know before you report a missed collection:
• Collection carts must be curbside at 7 AM on collection day.
• Please assure this is the correct week for recycle collection.
• Missed collections must be reported before 5 pm the day after collection.
• Collections reported later than 5 PM the following day will be subject to a $25 collection fee (added to your monthly water bill).
• Recycle carts put out after 7 AM on collection day will be subject to a $25 collection fee. 

• Newspapers (including glossy inserts)
• Mixed Paper (including junk mail, envelopes with clear plastic inserts, phone books, and glossy magazines)
• Shredded paper (must be enclosed in a paper sack or box to prevent blow away).
• Cardboard toilet paper and paper towel rolls
• Gift bags with handles cut off, paper gift wrap (Does NOT include metallic, foil, mylar or glittery gift wrap)
• Cardboard (broken down, flattened and cut to fit inside the cart)
• Plastic Containers (including bottles, yogurt or margarine tubs without lids)
• Glass Containers (all colors)
• Tin/Aluminum Cans (no need to remove labels)
• Paper Food Cartons (milk, including soy, chocolate, and cream, juice boxes, protein drinks, wine, egg substitutes, soup and broth)
• Wire Clothes Hangers
• Empty Aerosol Cans   

• Garbage
• Yard Waste 
• Garden Waste
• Hazardous Waste
• Plastic Bags of any sort
• Plastics: hoses, pipes, wiring, furniture, polystyrene, food storage containers, sour cream, cottage cheese or cool whip containers
• Styrofoam
• The following papers: tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, photo paper, photos and carbon paper
• Aluminum Foil
• Metals: pots, pans or utensils
• Paper contaminated with food, coated paper coffee and fast food cups and pizza boxes-(cut off lid and recycle)
• Hard cover books
• Metallic, foil, mylar or glittery gift wrap
• Containers that once held motor oil or antifreeze
• Berry containers
• Convenience store cups
• Tupperware and food storage containers
• Toys
• Clothes/Clothing any type
• Electronics
• More information can be found at www.WhereItShouldGo.com 

• There is no charge for replacement or additional recycle carts. 
• To request a Recycle cart you may contact the Department of Public Works, 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 515-283-4950 or you may request a cart online using the Recycling Request Form Recycling Request Form

• Recycling turns materials that would end up in the landfill into reusable items. 
• Recycling used bottled, cans, and newspapers is the first step to generating a host of financial, environmental, and social returns. 

• Recycling protects and expands U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness.
• Recycling reduces the need for land filling and incineration.
• Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials.
• Recycling saves energy.
• Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.
• Recycling helps sustain the environment for future generations.

• Currently 40% of everything going to the landfill can be recycled.
• There are things being missed, even by seasoned recyclers.
• Paper is the largest recyclable material going to the landfill.  This includes sticky notes, receipts, junk mail, etc.

• Residents on the Gold Level are SUPER RECYCLERS. 
• They recycle the correct items into the blue carts.
• If you or someone you know want to achieve the Gold Level Status, go HERE to register to have a recycling audit.
• The City of Des Moines Recycling crews will check the contents of your cart on your next recycling day and determine if it qualifies to be on the ‘Gold Level’.

• City of Des Moines recycling crews will inspect the contents of your recycle cart to determine if the contents are on the recyclables list and free from unacceptable items.
• List of accepted and unaccepted for your blue recycling cart
• Once you have exhibited a recycle cart without unacceptable items, your blue lid will be replaced with the Gold Lid on your next recycle day. 

Gold Lids are awarded to Super Recyclers!

• Wrapping paper: If its paper and tears, it is recyclable
• Cardboard boxes, are recyclable
• Ribbons, Foil wrap or bows are NOT recyclable
• Hard plastic 'shells' and Styrofoam are NOT recyclable