City of Muscatine reminds residents about guidelines for refuse, recycling containers

The City of Muscatine Public Works Department and Solid Waste Division remind residents of the proper guidelines for placing refuse and recycling containers at the curb ahead of scheduled collection days, a news release says.

After these placement rules helps protect resident property, ensures the safety of collection crews, and allows collection vehicles to operate efficiently throughout the city.

Placement at the curb

Refuse and recycling carts should be placed within three feet of the back curb line or the shoulder of the street. Residents whose alley is used for collection should place containers adjacent to and behind the property line abutting the alley.

A minimum of three (3) feet of clear space must be maintained on all sides of each container — including between the refuse cart and the recycling cart, and between any cart and nearby obstacles such as utility poles, mailboxes, parked vehicles, or other fixed objects.

Vehicles must not block access to carts. Containers placed behind or obstructed by parked vehicles will not be collected.

Timing

Containers may be placed out for collection no earlier than 4 p.m. the evening before the scheduled collection day. All containers must be curbside no later than 5:00 a.m. on the day of collection.

Residents should note that containers may be collected at the same time every week. Not all drivers will drive the route the same or be at your stop at the same time every week. As long as your cart is placed out for collection by 5 a.m., it should be picked up before the end of the shift.

Cart orientation

Residents should place their carts with the handle facing away from the street or garage. Cart lids have arrows on them to help explain which side of the cart should face the street. Collection vehicles use an automated side-arm to lift, empty, and return carts — proper orientation allows the arm to engage the cart without operator intervention.

“The collection vehicles used for most residential pickups are equipped with an automated arm that extends out, lifts the cart, empties the contents into the truck, and sets the cart back down — all while the driver remains in the cab,” said David Popp, solid waste manager for the City of Muscatine. “When carts are too close to each other, parked cars, mailboxes, or other obstacles, it becomes very difficult for the operator to safely engage the cart. Carts should also be returned to their storage area at the home the same day they are emptied, not left sitting at the curb.”

Preparing refuse

Before placing in the refuse cart, garbage should be thoroughly drained and wrapped or bagged in appropriate plastic garbage bags, which is addressed in the city ordinance.

“Proper placement of the containers also means bagging your waste and not overfilling your cart, so we can serve every resident on the route efficiently and keep our neighborhoods clean,” said Popp.

Overfilled carts or loose, unbagged waste may not be fully collected and can create litter, which is the responsibility of the resident to clean up and properly bag.

Recycling collection

Curbside recycling is collected every other week on residents’ regular garbage day, on either a Week A or Week B schedule. Recycling materials should be clean and dry before being placed in the recycling cart. Recycling guides and collection calendars are delivered each December by U.S. mail. Residents with questions about curbside recycling may contact the Transfer Station at 563-263-9689 or visit here.

Yard waste

Grass clippings, leaves, and garden waste may be placed at the curb on regular garbage collection day. Materials must be placed in a paper compostable yard waste bag and sealed with a City of Muscatine yard waste sticker. Stickers are available for purchase at the Muscatine Transfer Station, Public Works, City Hall, Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Main Street, and Fareway.

Brush and limb collection

Tree limbs and shrub trimmings must be bundled with string or cord in four-foot lengths with a diameter no larger than 18 inches.

Household hazardous waste

Household hazardous materials — including oil-based paints, insecticides, solvents, thinners, cleaners, and rechargeable batteries — must not be placed in refuse or recycling containers. Muscatine County residents and Louisa County residents may dispose of household hazardous waste at the Muscatine Transfer Station at no cost during regular business hours. Simply stop in the office at the Transfer Station to fill out the appropriate paper work before dropping off your hazardous waste items.

Additional information

Residents can find their collection day and recycling schedule week using the 2026 Curbside Refuse Collection and Recycling Calendar and Map, available here. Questions also may be directed to the Solid Waste Division at 563-263-9689 or to Public Works.

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