Yard Waste & Food Scraps

Regular Yard Waste/Food Scraps Collection 

Yard waste/food scraps is now being collected on your regular collection day with no appointment required. A yard waste sticker or annual decal is required.

Combining Food Scraps with Yard Waste

Customers may also put their food scraps and compostable paper in their yard waste carts, cans, and bags. This allows many customers to divert their food scraps at little or no additional cost by simply adding them to their current under-filled, underweight yard waste containers.

Set Out Instructions

  • Place in a brown paper yard waste bag not to exceed 40 pounds with yellow single-use sticker; or 
  • 35-gallon rigid solid waste containers with either single-use yard waste stickers looped on the handles or the City’s 2023 annual yard waste decal displayed; or
  • City-issued 65 gallon yard waste tipper cart

Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected. Brush and limbs may also be bundled with City of Dubuque brush ties that have a single-use sticker attached. Limbs should be no more than 3" in diameter and 5' in length.

Yard Waste Food Scraps Curbside

Yard Waste & Food Scrap Fees

Yard Waste



64-gallon City-issued cart$10/monthCall Public Works or submit an online request to subscribe
Annual decal$40Call 563-589-4144, purchase in person at City Hall, or submit an online request
Single-use yellow stickers for cans, bags, or bundles$1.50 each (sold in sheets of five for $7.50)Sold at most discount and hardware stores in Dubuque



Food Scraps

Call Public Works or submit an online request to subscribe
13-gallon tipper cart (residential)$1/month
13-gallon tipper cart (commercial)$4/month
64-gallon tipper cart (commercial)$20/month

Acceptable Yard Waste Items

  • Bark
  • Brush
  • Fallen fruit and nuts
  • Flowers and potted plants (no pots)
  • Food scraps (see below)
  • Garden plants and culls
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Pinecones and pine needles
  • Pumpkins
  • Real Christmas trees (Merry Mulch)
  • Sod
  • Straw bales and corn stalks
  • Tree trimmings

Acceptable Food Scrap Items

  • All food except meat and dairy
  • Coffee filters & tea bags
  • Napkins and paper towels
  • Paper bags
  • Paper placemats

Unacceptable Food Scrap Items

  • Animal waste or dead animals
  • Compostable or plastic utensils
  • Containers and lids
  • Fats and greases
  • Food soiled paper cups and paper plates
  • Hygiene products
  • Litter
  • Medical waste
  • Plastic bags
  • Straws
  • Treated or painted wood
  • Walnuts

Still unclear what can be composted?  REThink Waste Dubuque is a free tool that features a waste search tool, collection day reminders, and collection calendars. Just type in the material you’re disposing and the app will tell you whether it can be recycled or composted or if it needs to be placed in your regular garbage.

Merry Mulch Program

Merry Mulch takes place during the winter months. Christmas trees (maximum of eight feet high), yard waste bags, bundles and containers (up to 35 gallons), as well as Green Carts with food scraps will be picked up on regular collection days. The tree must have either one City brush tie or one yellow yard waste sticker attached and visible from the street or alley.  No collection appointment is necessary.

Leaf Rake-Out Appointments 

The City offers leaf rake-out collections by appointment each fall.