Cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, metal, oil, and wine cork recycling are located in the parking lot and Oil Recycling Shed, and these services are available 24/7.

Electronic, small appliance, and light bulb recycling are available through Restore's donation area around the back of the main building, and these services are available during their open hours only.

Recycle these items at no cost: 

• Cardboard: flatten before recycling
• Paper: newspapers, magazines, shredded paper, office paper, junk mail, paperboard, telephone books, paperback books, waxy cartons and aseptic packaging
• Glass: clear, brown, green
• Plastic: bottles and jugs
• Metal: metal cans, aluminum pie pans, aluminum foil (in 2-inch ball)
• Light bulbs: CFLs and LEDs; recycle at ReStore's donation area during open hours (Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
• Wine corks: place corks in cork recycling bin in Oil Recycling Shed
• Oil: motor or vegetable
  • Bring liquid in sealed, labeled plastic bottles (must be less than 5-gallon size) with secure lids, and leave in the Oil Recycling Shed.
• Motor oil filters
• Antifreeze: bring liquid in sealed, labeled plastic bottles (must be less than 5-gallon size) with secure lids, and leave in the Oil Recycling Shed.

Recycle these items for a fee: 

• Electronics and small appliances: recycle at ReStore's donation area during open hours (Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
  • $20 per computer system or TV (fee includes components)
  • $3 per miscellaneous electronic item
    • Examples: printers, CPUs, VCRs without a CRT screen/monitor, ink/toner cartridges, cell phones, DVD players, electronic cables/cords
      • Note: VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and CD discs are regular garbage. 
  • $0 for holiday light strands
  • $3 per small appliance
    • Examples: vacuum cleaners, alarm clocks, toasters, blenders, coffee pots, irons

Other Drop-off Recycling Locations

• South Riverside Recycling Center, 1200 South Riverside Drive
  • Visit the Recycling page for a complete list of accepted items at this location. 
• Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, 3900 Hebl Avenue SW
  • Visit the Landfill page for a complete list of accepted items at this location.  
• Hazardous material: Visit the Hazardous Material page for a complete list of accepted items. 
• Light bulbs: Visit the Hazardous Material page for a complete list of locations.
• Batteries: Visit the Hazardous Material page for a complete list of locations.
• Glass: Visit the Recycling page for a complete list of locations. 

Don't throw away holiday lights, recycle them!

As residents begin decorating for the holiday season, remember that holiday light strands can be recycled at seasonal drop-off locations in the Iowa City and Coralville area at no cost. Note: holiday light strands should not be placed in regular recycling. 

Recycle burnt-out holiday lights at the following locations. 

Iowa City Locations (available Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025)

• East Side Recycling Center (via Oil Recycling Shed or ReStore Donations) (2401 Scott Blvd. SE)
  • Hours of operation:
    • Oil Recycling Shed: 24/7 access
    • ReStore Donations: Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center via electronic recycling program (3900 Hebl Ave. SW)
  • Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• Iowa City City Hall via bin located outside of main entrance (410 E Washington St.)
  • Hours of operation: 24/7 access

Coralville Locations (available now through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025)

• Coralville Hy-Vee #1 (1914 8th St.)
  • Hours of operation: www.hy-vee.com/stores/detail.aspx?s=37   
• Coralville Hy-Vee #2 (3285 Crosspark Rd.)
  • Hours of operation: www.hy-vee.com/stores/detail.aspx?sc=1085   
• Coralville Drop-off Recycling Center (212 1st St.) (note this is new this year)
  • Hours of operation: https://www.coralville.org/197/Recycling  
• Stuff, Etc. (2818 Commerce Dr.)
  • Hours of operation: www.shopstuffetc.com/coralville/   
• Coralville City Hall (1512 7th St.)
  • Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; check holiday hours at www.coralville.org 
• Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th St.)
  • Hours of operation: www.coralville.org/parksandrec   

For questions about Coralville locations, please contact the Coralville Streets and Solid Waste Department at 319-248-1740 or email solidwaste@coralville.org. 

These collection locations are for holiday light strands only; no plastic bags, garbage, electronics, syringes, batteries, or hazardous material allowed.

Sign up for recycling program and curbside notices at icgov.org/subscribe.  

The East Side Recycling Center is currently out of compost until further notice.   

Compost (50 cents per 5 gallons) and wood chips (50 cents per 5 gallons) are available at East Side Recycling Center in small batch during spring, summer, and fall. This service is not available in winter. 

Both compost and wood chips are in high demand in the spring/summer seasons, but staff are checking containers frequently and refilling supplies as needed. Please bring your own container and shovel to load materials.

How to pay: 

Please pay by using the ParkMobile program in one of three ways once at East Side Recycling Center (note: the following directions are also posted on site): 

• Download the ParkMobile phone application
• Scan the QR code to pay on the website
• Text “Park” to 77223

Customers can pay cash for these products at ReStore's check-out counter during their open hours, Wed. to Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Environmental Education Center is an all-season event venue. The center is the perfect size for a meeting, company gathering, family reunion, or other function. The capacity is 50 people. Parking is limited, especially on Saturdays when our site partners experience high customer traffic.

To reserve the space, view the rental agreement, and call 319-356-5151 or email esrc@iowa-city.org.

1. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore sells used building materials and furniture. Visit ReStore's website or call 319-338-5687 for more information.
2. Salvage Barn, a program of the Iowa City Friends of Historic Preservation, sells used, historically-significant building materials. Visit the Salvage Barn's website or call 319-351-1875 for more information.

In need of a speaker to talk about waste reduction or recycling? Staff are available to offer site tours and presentations.

Do you need translated guides or educational materials for a group or event? The Resource Management Division has a variety of outreach materials, and several digital and print-friendly documents translated into English, Spanish, French, and Arabic available at no cost. 

Contact the Recycling Coordinator for resources and more information at jwilch@iowa-city.org or at 319-887-6110.