Waste & Recycling

GARBAGE | RECYCLING | RECYCLE EVENTS

Garbage

Ankeny has subscription garbage collection in which each resident contracts individually with a garbage hauler. The following companies provide residential services in Ankeny:

Residential Garbage Haulers:

• Ankeny Sanitation, (515) 964-5229 
• Aspen Waste Systems, Inc., (515) 974-1600 
• Donnie's Disposal, (515) 966-2156 
• Waste Connections of Iowa, Inc., (515) 265-7374 
• Waste Management of Iowa, (515) 265-5267

Residents should contact the above companies for information on:

• Garbage collection rates 
• Pickup days and times 
• Large item (furniture, appliances, etc.) pickup procedures and fees 
• Yard waste collection and fees 
• Special pickup for elderly or disabled residents

Residents can sign-up to receive E-mails on recycling and garbage collection delays at www.mwatoday.com.

Recycling

The Facts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 75 percent of our waste is recyclable. The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) states that 87 percent of the U.S. population, or 268 million people, have access to curbside or drop-off recycling programs.

How can you help? 

Ever wonder how you can create less waste and help save resources for the future? It just takes a few simple steps to reduce your trash. You can save money and help the environment too! Ankeny has several recycling programs including:

Curb It!

Metro Waste Authority's Curb It! program provides each residential household in MWA's service area a 96-gallon cart with automated collection with every other week pickup. For those who generate less trash, 48-gallon carts are available. Requests for the smaller carts can be made by calling 24-GREEN. An exchange fee may apply. Check the lid on your cart for the pickup schedule in your area, and be sure to set your cart out by 7 a.m.

Please call Metro Waste Authority, (515) 244-0021, for more information.

What to recycle

Accepted items

• Plastic containers - "necked" containers and yogurt/margarine tubs
• Newspapers - including inserts
• Mixed paper
• Cardboard - must be broken down and cut to fit into cart
• Shredded paper -  can be recycled in your new cart but it needs to be contained in a paper product such as a cereal or cardboard box, or a paper sack
• Tin & aluminum cans
• NEW FOR SUMMER 2012 - Paper Food Cartons: milk (including soy) chocolate and cream, juice, protein drinks, wine, egg substitutes, soup and broth

NOT accepted

• Garbage or yard debris
• Food-contaminated material (e.g., frozen dinner containers)
• Plastic bags or containers with motor oil or other hazardous materials

Look for the sticker on your recycling cart for details!

Cart Placement Guidelines

Curb It! is an automated collection program designed to make it easier for you to recycle. When participating in automated collection programs there are a few cart placement guidelines to follow. Your help is appreciated in making it easier for carts to be collected.

1. Your cart should be within 18 inches of the curb with the short metal bar facing the street.
2. To avoid damage to public and private property, place the cart at least three feet away from mailboxes, lamp posts and other permanent structures.
3. Place your cart on as level of a surface as possible but away from low-hanging tree branches.
4. Yard waste bags, garbage carts, Curb It! carts and other large items should be spaced three feet apart.
5. Close lids prior to pick-up – lids must be closed on your Curb It! carts in order for the recyclables to be collected.

Have a large amount that can't wait until recycling day?

R/CK & B Redemption Center*
1014 SE Lorenz Drive, Ankeny

*Bottle and can redemption only.

Metro Waste's Recycling Center, located at 1105 Prairie Drive, SW in Bondurant, accepts everything that the Curb It/Recycle & Roll program accepts. More information is available online or call 515.967.5512

Helpful links

• When do I set out the Recycling Cart? (PDF)
• Find out more about Curb It!

Ankeny Recycle Events

The City of Ankeny and the Public Works department host a variety of recycling and clean up events throughout the year including...

Ankeny Clean-Up Day

This program, held in May of each year, allows Ankeny residents to dispose of unwanted junk. Prohibited items include: antifreeze, oil, asphalt, paint, tree stumps, yard debris, pesticides, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, ovens/stoves, clothes dryers and washers, furnaces, microwave ovens, batteries, water heaters, televisions and computer monitors. There is no charge for this program.
See scheduled events and details

Appliance and Electronics Recycling Day

The City of Ankeny sponsors an Appliance and Electronics Recycling Day. The City of Ankeny is working with Midwest Recovery of Bondurant, Iowa to allow residents to drop-off a number of household appliances and electronics with no on-site charge. A fee will be charged for monitors and televisions based on the size of the unit.
See scheduled events and details

Tree & Branch Recycling

Held three times each year, the program allows Ankeny residents to dispose of trees and branches free of charge.
See scheduled events and details  

Leaf Collections Days

Held each fall, this four week program allows Ankeny residents to dispose of leaves free of charge. There is no open burning in Ankeny. 
See scheduled events and details

Holiday Tree Pick-up

Held each January, residents can place their holiday trees along the curb, in the right-of-way. Trees must be free of all ornaments, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags.
See scheduled events and details

Additional Waste and Recycling Info