Residents of Johnson County, Riverside, and Kalona can bring hazardous material to the Hazardous Material Collection Facility at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center (3900 Hebl Ave. SW, Iowa City) at no cost.

The facility is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., no appointment needed.

Instructions for using the facility:

1. Inventory items, and keep items in original, sealed, upright containers. Label any unmarked containers. Never mix chemicals.
2. Visit the facility during open hours only.
3. When you arrive, pull through Lane 1, and park under the overhang on the building. Landfill staff will be ready to serve you.

Tips to avoid problems with hazardous material:

• Look for safer, non-toxic alternatives. Reduce your use of hazardous material in your home with green cleaning recipes.
• Buy only the amount you need. Give unused HHM to someone who can use it.
• Keep in the original, labeled containers and store upright away from children and pets.

What hazardous materials can you bring to the facility? 

For a print-friendly version of this information, view the Household Hazardous Material Collection Guide. 

Bring these items: 

• Cleaning products: abrasive cleaner, aerosols, carpet cleaner, disinfectant, drain cleaner, dry cleaning solution, fabric softener, floor care product, furniture polish, glass cleaner, grout/tile cleaner, metal polish, mildew remover, oven cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, soap scum remover, stain remover, toilet bowl cleaner
• Garage/workshop products: adhesive/glue, antifreeze, battery acid, brake fluid, engine degreaser, gasoline/oil, kerosene, lighter fluid, oil-based paint (20-gal limit), paint thinner, resin, solvent, stain, stripper, transmission fluid, varnish
• Lawn/outdoor products: bug spray, fertilizer, fogger, fungicide, insecticide, insect repellent, pesticides, pool chemicals, rodent killer, weed killer
• Batteries: alkaline, auto, cell phone, computer, hearing aid, lithium, lithium-ion, nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), rechargeable, sealed lead-acid
• Sharps and syringes: will not be accepted unless contained in a rigid plastic or metal container with a lid 
• Other: hair remover, medications (non-controlled substances only), mercury thermostat, moth balls, nail polish/remover, photo chemicals, shoe polish, thermometer, fire extinguishers 
  
  
  

Do not bring these items: 

• Smoke detectors: place in regular garbage
• Electronic thermostats: recycle via electronics recycling
• Ammunition and explosives
• Radioactive materials
• Infectious medical waste
• Propane:
  • Cylinders: recycle with Ferrel Gas (319-354-4220) or A-1 Propane (319-337-2034)
  • Tanks: recycle for $1 per tank (residential-sized tanks only) via appliance recycling at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center
• Helium tanks: recycle for $1 per tank (residential-sized tanks only) via appliance recycling at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center
• Controlled substance medications:
  • Several drop-off locations are available around Johnson County to properly dispose of controlled substances and other types of medication. For an updated list of locations, use the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) search tool. 
  •  DEA collection events are held in Iowa City twice per year (usually spring and fall) for residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. 

Businesses in Johnson County that generate hazardous material may be eligible for the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program.

The program allows businesses that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous material per month, and store less than 1,000 pounds, to safely dispose of hazardous material.

To participate, businesses must:

• Complete a VSQG Business Packet
• Schedule an appointment to bring a load. Contact Resource Management at 319-887-6160 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our hazardous material disposal services.

Business Categories

Any Johnson County business that produces hazardous material within the above parameters can participate in this program. The following are examples of business categories that produce hazardous material. 

• Cleaning Services
• Nail and Hair Salons
• Realty and Property Management Companies
• Dry Cleaners
• Photography Developing Companies

Digital and printable educational materials are available for these business categories at no cost. To access resources, contact the Recycling Coordinator at jwilch@iowa-city.org or at 319-887-6110.

Sharps and Syringes

Residents can safely dispose of sharps and syringes at no cost at the Hazardous Material Collection Facility during facility open hours (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

This facility will only accept sharps and syringes contained in a rigid plastic or metal container with a secure lid. Laundry detergent bottles, medical sharps containers, or coffee cans are acceptable containers. Sharps and syringes in cardboard boxes, plastic bags, thin plastic containers such as milk jugs, other unsafe containers, or loose syringes will not be accepted. 

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 Medication

Several drop-off locations are available around Johnson County to properly dispose of controlled substances and other types of medication. For an updated list of locations, use the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) search tool.

The Hazardous Material Collection Facility accepts non-controlled substances (like Tylenol and antibiotics) only.

Are you a business? Call 319-887-6160 to discuss other options.

Community Collection Events

Pharmaceutical and sharps collection events are held every April and October, in partnership with the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day program. 

Improper disposal of batteries in the regular garbage is a leading cause of landfill fires. Prevent landfill fires and the release of hazardous chemicals in the local environment by properly recycling batteries at several local drop-off locations listed below.  

Hazardous Material Collection Facility

Any and all types of batteries are accepted at the main battery drop-off location, the Hazardous Material Collection Facility.

• What: All types of batteries, including alkaline, are accepted at this facility.
  • Single use batteries
    • Alkaline, zinc air (hearing aid), lithium
  • Rechargeable batteries
    • Auto batteries, cell phone/computer batteries, lithium-ion or polymer, nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride, rechargeable alkaline, sealed lead-acid
• Where: Drive into Lane 1 and pull under the building overhang. Staff will assist you. 
• When: The facility is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other Community Battery Drop-off Locations

At these locations, single use and rechargeable batteries are accepted with a few exceptions.

Damaged batteries, large lead-acid batteries, and large quantities of batteries should be taken directly to the Hazardous Material Collection Facility. 

• Iowa City Fire Station #2 West (301 Emerald St., Iowa City)
  • Where: The battery bin is located in the entryway (between the exterior and interior main entrance doors).
  • When: Accessible daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ace Hardware East (1558 Mall Drive, Iowa City)
  • Where: Take batteries to the cashier counter at the front of the store.
  • When: Accessible during store open hours.
• Ace Hardware North (600 N Dodge St., Iowa City)
  • Where: Take batteries to the cashier counter at the front of the store.
  • When: Accessible during store open hours.
• City Hall Cashier Counter (410 E Washington St., Iowa City)
  • Where: From the City Hall front lobby, the Cashier Counter is up the stairs to the right and through the glass door.
  • When: Accessible during open hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• North Liberty Community Center (520 W Cherry St., North Liberty)
  • Where: Take batteries to the front desk.
  • When: Accessible during open hours.
• Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th St., Coralville)
  • Where: Take batteries to the front desk.
  • When: Accessible during open hours.

Battery terminals must be taped with clear packing tape (do not use any other type of tape) or placed in a sealed, clear plastic bag (one battery per bag). Residents are encouraged to tape or bag, however, if batteries are not taped or bagged when they arrive at drop-off locations, City staff will properly prepare batteries.

Have battery-containing items, such as cell phones or Bluetooth speakers to recycle? Visit the Recycling page for electronic recycling options. 

Want to learn more about batteries?

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Resources:

• Used Household Batteries
• Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Frequent Questions on Lithium-ion Batteries

Waste reduction is the first priority before disposal

Consider these tips to reduce paint waste:

• Buy only the amount of paint that you need. To assist with this, use a paint calculator, such as Lowe’s Paint Calculator, to measure exactly how much paint you will need to complete a job.
• Mix together unused light colors to use as primer.
• Give extra paint to someone that could use it.

Latex Paint (Not Hazardous)

• How to identify: On the paint container's product label, look for words like these.
  • Latex or acrylic latex
  • Water-based
  • Soap and water cleanup (this indicates it is safe and not hazardous)
• How to dispose of: Because latex paint is not hazardous, it does not need to be disposed of at the Hazardous Material Collection Facility. Save the trip to the landfill and dispose of latex paint at home instead in the regular trash once dried out or thickened to a cottage cheese consistency. Thicken latex paint by mixing in one of the following thickening agents: shredded paper, kitty litter, wood chips, or paint hardener (available at local hardware stores). 

Oil-based Paint (Hazardous)

• How to identify: On the container's product label, look for words like these.
  • Oil-based
  • Oil-based enamel
  • Petroleum
  • Combustible liquid or vapor
  • Flammable
  • Paint thinner or mineral spirits cleanup
• How to dispose of: Oil-based paints and products are hazardous. Johnson County residents can dispose of oil-based items at no cost at the Hazardous Material Collection Facility located at the Iowa City Landfill during facility open hours on Thursday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Light bulb recycling is available to residents and businesses within Johnson County, Kalona, and Riverside. 

Incandescent Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs can be thrown away in the regular garbage.

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) and LED Bulbs

Residents:

Properly dispose of CFL and LED bulbs at the following locations: 

Locations accept bulbs at no cost. Tube recycling is not available at all locations, or there may be a charge. Contact partner locations for more information on items accepted and open hours.

• Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center (3900 Hebl Ave. SW, Iowa City)      
  • No cost CFL/LED tube and bulb recycling are available during regular business hours, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
  • Light fixtures without PBCs are $3 each to recycle.
  • Light fixtures with PBCs are $12.50 each to recycle.
• ReStore (2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City)
• Ace Hardware (1558 Mall Dr., Iowa City)
• Ace Hardware (600 North Dodge St., Iowa City)
• Tiffin City Hall (300 Railroad St.)
• Riverside City Hall (61 Greene St.)
• Lone Tree City Hall (123 Devoe St.)
• North Liberty City Hall (360 N Main St.)
• Lowe's Home Improvement (2701 2nd St., Coralville)
  • Call 319-545-8300 for more information, as this program is not managed by the City of Iowa City.

Businesses:  

Businesses can properly dispose of CFLs and LEDs for a fee at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center.

Commercial light bulb recycling fees:

• CFL or LED bulbs: 54 cents each
• Tubes 4-foot and under: 54 cents each
• Tubes 4-foot and over: 72 cents each
• Light fixtures without PBCs are $3 each to recycle.
• Light fixtures with PBCs are $12.50 each to recycle.

CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and LEDs contain a small amount of lead. Special handling is required to safely remove the mercury and lead.

• How to Clean Up a Broken CFL Bulb

Fire Extinguishers 

Expired or used fire extinguishers are accepted at the Hazardous Material Collection Facility, or at these locations: 

• Hawkeye Fire and Safety 
  • Address: 4185 Alyssa Ct. SW, #7, Iowa City, IA 52240
  • Phone: 319-338-3096
• Iowa Fire Equipment Company 
  • Address: 327 First Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
  • Phone: 319-337-4434
• Petersen Iron and Metal (Note: extinguishers must be emptied first in order for Petersen to accept them.)
  • Address: 420 1st St., Coralville, IA 52241  
  • Phone: 319-351-1331

Propane or Helium Tanks

Recycle residential-sized propane or helium tanks via appliance recycling at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center for $1 per tank. 

Propane cylinders can be recycled via Ferrel Gas (319-354-4220) or A-1 Propane (319-337-2034).

Bring motor or vegetable oil in sealed, labeled plastic bottles (must be less than 5-gallon size) with secure lids, and leave in the Oil Recycling Sheds at either location: 

• East Side Recycling Center (2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City), available 24/7
• Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center (3900 Hebl Avenue SW, Iowa City), available during open hours only from Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Motor oil filters can also be recycled at both locations. This service is available at no cost to Johnson County, Kalona and Riverside residents only. Materials from outside of this service area are not accepted. 

The Swap Shop is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Swap Shop hosts items that are gently-used, in good condition, and free for the taking. Customers have brought them to the Hazardous Material Collection Facility, and are most often paints, automobile fluids, and cleaners.

The entrance door to the Swap Shop is to the left of the main landfill office door. The landfill office is closed to the public. 

Residents of Johnson County, Kalona and Riverside, may dispose of one box of hazardous materials per household, including oil-based paint, cleaners, batteries, sharps, motor oil and other automotive fluids.

Mobile Neighborhood Collection Events

The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center can schedule mobile hazardous material collection events for neighborhoods in Iowa City and surrounding communities in Johnson County.

• Latex paint is not accepted at mobile events.
• There is a $250 fee for a three-hour event.
• A six-week lead time is needed to schedule a mobile event.

Call 319-887-6160 to discuss having an event in your neighborhood or community.