Solid Waste & Recycling no longer accepting garbage cans

Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set extra garbage out in bags with the $1.50 extra garbage sticker, but the Solid Waste and recycling crews will no longer collect extra garbage set out in garbage cans.

To help customers adjust to this policy, the Solid Waste & Recycling Division has enacted a 2 step policy.  The first time a customer sets extra garbage out in a garbage can, the collection crews will empty the can and leave a tag notifying the customer of the issue.  The second time the customer sets extra garbage out in a garbage can; the collection crews will not empty the garbage and again leave a tag indicating the problem.

The Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling Division is transitioning to a fully-automated garbage collection system to reduce worker injury and move to single operator trucks.  The transition started last year with the distribution of the GARBY carts. This year the Solid Waste & Recycling Division will place fully automated trucks on 9 of the 10 daily garbage collection routes. Garbage cans are no longer accepted because crews cannot safely empty the cans into the new trucks. The fully automated trucks load on the side and the height of the hopper forces crews to lift the cans above their head, creating a safety hazard.

Unwanted garbage cans can be recycled by taking them to City Carton Recycling's 24 hour drop-off location at 901 Ingleside Dr. SW.  Residents are asked to rinse the cans and remove any metal handles or axles before recycling their can.

If customers have questions, they can go to

www.CityofCR.com/Garbage or call 319-286-5897