As a new school year starts at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Public Works reminds the community about the importance of proper refuse and waste disposal in the city. Help our team and stay updated with these guidelines:
Garbage Cart Use
The City of Cedar Falls Public Works Department uses a fully automated garbage collection system in order to reduce worker injury and staffing needs. Residents should place carts out to the curb prior to 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled day of collection. Residents are asked to remove their carts from curbside by 8:00 p.m. on collection day. Carts should be placed at the curb, not behind the sidewalk. If a cart becomes damaged and is in need of repair, call the Public Works Department at (319) 273-8629 to schedule repair or replacement. Cart repair is normally done on the day of collection.
Rates
The City offers three sizes of carts. The following rates apply:
- Small- (32/35) gallon container – $9.23 per month
- Medium (64/68) gallon container – $17.43 per month
- Large (95/96) gallon container – $27.16 per month
Collection Guidelines
In order to help ensure collection is safe and efficient, customers should leave three to four feet between their garbage and yard waste carts and any other objects like mailboxes, cars, utility poles, and snowbanks. If carts are too close to obstacles, it slows the collection process down and increases idle time for the trucks, increasing the chance of property being damaged during collection. If you have limited space around your driveway, you might consider leaving room by placing your carts on each side of your driveway. Carts should not be buried in a snowbank or on top of a snowbank. Try to place the cart at street level. Placing containers on high curbs or snowbanks creates a safety hazard for our crew members as they reach to pull the heavy containers down.
Extra Garbage
Lids must be closed per city ordinance. For public health reasons, never overpack trash cans. One extra refuse bag is allowed per household. The bag must have an approved pink Cedar Falls Bag Tag attached to it. Place the bag with the Bag Tag attached on top of your garbage cart so the driver can see it. Bag Tags can be purchased at the following locations for $1.25 each:
- Transfer Station and Recycling Center: 1524 State St., Cedar Falls
- Fareway Grocery: 214 Magnolia Dr., Cedar Falls
- Fareway Grocery: 4500 S. Main St., Cedar Falls
- Hy-Vee: 6301 University Ave, Cedar Falls
- Transfer Station: 1524 State Street, Cedar Falls
- Ace Hardware: 703 E. 18th St., Cedar Falls
Hazards of Overflowing Trash Cans
To ensure a safe and clean community, never overfill trash cans. Overfull cans can attract animals, bugs, and birds.
Bulk Items
Beginning January 1, 2021, the charge will be $10.00 per stop for 10 or less items. Over 10 items will be $20.00 per stop. Large item pickup is available and scheduled on your refuse collection day for residents with an active Cedar Falls refuse account. To schedule a pickup, call the Public Works Department at (319) 273-8629 between 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. The large items must be placed curbside after 8:00 p.m. the night before your scheduled collection. This service is limited to large items only and is not intended to be a service for garbage. Visit https://www.cedarfalls.com/106/Bulk-Items for fees regarding no charge/charge bulk items, tires, and refused items.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our city beautiful. For more information on refuse and yard collection in Cedar Falls and to view garbage routes, go to https://www.cedarfalls.com/99/Garbage-and-Yard-Waste.
Sign up for email alerts regarding garbage collection, including pickup reminders and holiday schedules, at https://www.cedarfalls.com/list.aspx.