2024 Event Recap

On Sunday, July 21, 2024, the City of Iowa City hosted the Donation Drive-Thru event at the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp in Downtown Iowa City.

Waste reduction and diversion numbers

In a span of four hours, over 10,000 pounds of recyclable or usable goods were saved from the landfill. Items were either recycled or provided to Donation Drive-Thru’s non-profit partner organizations. Here is an overview of some of the materials recycled or donated:

• 268 pounds of batteries
• 16 pounds of light bulbs
• 245 pounds of food and toiletry items
• 1,475 pounds of books
• 1,480 pounds of mattresses and box springs
• 2,145 pounds of clothing and shoes
• 520 pounds of household items
• 550 pounds of appliances
• 3,470 pounds of furniture

Where did donations go?

• Antelope Lending Library, the non-profit bookmobile library, received all book donations.
• Crowded Closet, Iowa City’s non-profit thrift store, received all clothing, shoes, and accessories donations.
• Houses into Homes, the non-profit organization providing essential household goods and furniture to families in need, received mattresses, furniture, and household and kitchen items.
• Table to Table, the food rescue non-profit organization, received all food and toiletry item donations.

Past-use batteries, light bulbs, books, mattresses, and box springs were recycled via the City of Iowa City recycling programs.

Events of this size are not possible without the generous time and hard work of our staff, volunteer groups (Iowa City Free Lunch Program, UI School of Planning and Public Affairs, Unitarian Universalist Society), and the partner organizations listed above. Thank you to all who supported this community event! 

General Event Information

The City of Iowa City and several non-profit partners offer donation and recycling options at the Donation Drive-Thru event each summer – all Johnson County residents are welcome to participate!

This event is meant to support local residents who may be moving during the lease-turnover time at the end of July by providing a variety of disposal options for common or problematic items when moving.

Items accepted for recycling and donation include food, toiletry items, books, batteries, light bulbs, mattresses, furniture, clothing, and more! Donation items must be clean, in good working order, and in good condition (meaning no rips, tears, stains, pet hair, food residue, damage, etc.). 

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Partner Organizations

All donations at the 2024 Donation Drive-Thru event were provided directly to local non-profit partner organizations that put the donations to immediate good use within our community while keeping quality items out of the landfill. 

The 2024 event partner organizations include: 

• Antelope Lending Library
  • "Antelope Lending Library is an independent, non-profit bookmobile library working to overcome barriers and provide full and equal access to information and ideas in our community." (Source: Antelope Lending Library)
• Crowded Closet
  • "Crowded Closet is a non-profit thrift shop in Iowa City sharing love and compassion with people in need locally and globally." (Source: Crowded Closet)
• Houses into Homes
  • "Houses into Homes provides gently-used beds, furniture, and household items for families and individuals in Johnson County who are exiting homelessness, domestic violence, and other crisis situations." (Source: Houses into Homes)
• Table to Table
  • "Table to Table bridges the gap between abundance and hunger. Our mission is to increase food equity and reduce environmental harm by collecting and redistributing surplus food through partners to people who can use it." (Source: Table to Table)

A sincere thank you to our 2024 volunteer groups that make Donation Drive-Thru possible, including Iowa City Free Lunch Program, UI School of Planning and Public Affairs, and Unitarian Universalist Society. 

Iowa City Citywide Garage Sales

Another way to support waste reduction and reuse is to either host a sale or participate as a shopper at the Citywide Garage Sales every July in Iowa City!

Learn more at the organization's website. 

Past Years

In the last few years of hosting Donation Drive-Thru, this event has successfully reduced waste and diverted usable items out of the landfill. 

2023

In a span of four hours, almost 16,000 pounds of recyclable or usable goods were saved from the landfill. Items were either recycled or provided to Donation Drive-Thru’s non-profit and community partner organizations. Here is an overview of some of the materials recycled or donated:

• 104 pounds of batteries
• 290 pounds of food and toiletry items
• 690 pounds of clothing and shoes
• 954 pounds of electronics and appliances
• 1,240 pounds of household and kitchen items
• 1,750 pounds of books
• 4,910 pounds of mattresses/box springs
• 5,700 pounds of furniture

2022 (Donation Drive-Thru's first year)

Approximately 8,246 pounds of materials were saved from the landfill and diverted through recycling and donation programs. In 2023, Donation Drive-Thru doubled the tonnage of materials saved from the landfill! 

Questions? Reach out to the City’s Recycling Coordinator at jwilch@iowa-city.org.