🍂 Leaf season is here, neighbor! I put the trash and recycling basics in one spot, with links to the official pages. Each town runs its own pickup, so if you live outside Cedar Rapids, please check with your city hall. Dates and rules can change, so peek at the official page before you haul anything to the curb.
🍂 Cedar Rapids fall leaf vacuum
When
Fall leaf vacuum collection is scheduled for October 26 to December 3, 2026. Have leaves raked out by 7 a.m. on the day set for your quadrant.
Want a heads-up? Sign up for CRNewsNow alerts (linked on the City’s leaf page) to get a text or email the evening before collection starts in your neighborhood.
How to set out leaves
- Rake leaves into long piles on the grass or parking strip next to the street. Keep them out of the street.
- No sticks or twigs in the piles. They clog the vacuum. Small sticks go in your YARDY cart.
- Keep piles away from carts, mailboxes, cars and poles. The trucks don’t collect from alleys.
- If you can, move parked cars off the street on collection days.
Kraft paper bags
Brown paper lawn and leaf bags are collected only during the spring and fall leaf vacuum periods. Fill your YARDY cart first, then set bags next to it. Bags are only picked up with a filled YARDY cart, and each bag has to weigh under 40 pounds.
🌿 Yard waste (YARDY, the green cart)
What goes in
Leaves, grass clippings, sticks and twigs (5 inches across, max), and fruit and vegetable peelings. Mulching leaves first helps more fit. The 95-gallon cart has a 300-pound limit.
Extra brush? Tie it in bundles about 2 by 3 feet, under 40 pounds, with biodegradable twine, and set them next to the cart.
Source: City of Cedar Rapids: Yard Waste
Winter schedule
YARDY carts are picked up on your regular garbage day from early March to mid-December. From December 14, 2026 through February 26, 2027, yard waste pickup is by request only. Just put in a request through My CR.
Source: City of Cedar Rapids: Yard Waste
🗑️ Garbage & recycling in Cedar Rapids
Which day is mine?
The City is split into 5 sections. Look up your day on the collection day map, or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 319-286-5897 (answered 24/7).
Carts go out after 6 p.m. the night before and need to be at the curb by 7 a.m. Bring them back in by 7 p.m. Holidays can push pickup back a day, so check the holiday list on the City’s page.
Source: City of Cedar Rapids: Collection
Recycling (CURBY, the blue cart)
Paper, plastic containers, metal, cartons, cardboard and chipboard can all go in together.
- Glass goes in a separate bucket with a handle (5 gallons max), set 3 feet from CURBY.
- No plastic bags or Styrofoam. Take plastic bags back to the grocery store.
- Extra cardboard: cut it into 2-by-3-foot pieces and tape them into a bundle.
Source: City of Cedar Rapids: Recycling
Garbage (GARBY) tips
The lid has to close, because overfilled carts won’t be picked up. Extra bags need a City sticker (35 gallons and 40 pounds max). Leave 3 feet around each cart for the automated arm. For couches and appliances, schedule a bulky item pickup.
Source: City of Cedar Rapids: Collection
♻️ For all of Linn County: the Solid Waste Agency
Landfill & free hazardous waste drop-off
Linn County residents can drop off household hazardous materials like paint, motor oil, antifreeze and batteries at no cost inside the Resource Recovery Building, 1954 County Home Road, Marion. It’s open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., no appointment needed. Saturdays are by appointment. Please stop at the scale first.
Phone: (319) 377-5290
Compost & yard waste site
2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids. Open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Phone: (319) 398-5163.
Bad weather can close things. Text Agency1 to 319-343-3861 for closure alerts. Closed Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and Christmas (Dec. 25).
Electronics, tires & more
The Agency’s site explains what to do with electronics, appliances, tires, scrap metal, batteries, bulbs and clothing.
Outside Cedar Rapids? Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and our smaller towns each set their own pickup days and rules. Your city hall can tell you. You’ll find links to every city on my Communities page.