The City of Dubuque implemented a new, state-mandated solid waste collection system in 2002. It helps our community waste less and recycle more. Pay As You Throw (PAYT) has customers paying according to how much refuse they set out. Unlimited curbside recycling is available at no charge. PAYT gives our customers more control over the size of their utility bill through a financial incentive to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

PAYT also helps lengthen the useful life of our local landfill. It helps conserve natural resources used to make new products. It helps reduce pollution caused by mining, forestry, oil drilling, and manufacturing. Increased recycling also means more local jobs.

The maximum weight for the base fee container and contents is 40 pounds. The maximum size of the base fee container is 35 gallons.

The base monthly fee of $11.69 covers the cost of the weekly collection of one 35-gallon rigid container or one 35-gallon trash bag and all recycling bins. When the PAYT program was designed, we found that our customers wanted convenient options for additional refuse disposal. One of these options is to use $1.30 green garbage stickers for occasional excess refuse containers.

Another option is to subscribe to an additional 35-gallon container with a green decal through Utility Billing at 563.589.4144 for an extra $5.60 per month.
 
A third option is to subscribe your oversize rigid solid waste container of up to a 50-gallon capacity with a blue decal to both store and roll out trash bags for weekly setout for $13.99 per month. Crews will not lift and dump these oversize containers, but will pick up large trash bags contained inside, weighing up to 40 pounds each. No loose trash is allowed. Subscribe through Utility Billing by calling 563.589.4144.

All customers may also subscribe to City-owned wheeled carts. The 64-gallon carts may contain up to 224 pounds of refuse for $21.00 per month. The 96-gallon carts may contain up to 335 pounds of refuse for $30.00 per month. For further information or a subscription, call the Public Works Department at 563.589.4250. These carts have been very popular for use at rental properties. They are often more cost effective and improve the aesthetics and sanitation of the neighborhood. They are lifted and emptied mechanically.

Our Large Item Collection is now a year round service with a minimum fee of $8.

Click to watch the video on Refuse Collection. 

Click on the Refuse Credit link for more information.