The City of Dubuque resumed its regular weekly curbside collection of organics, commonly known as yard debris and food scraps, on Monday, April 6, 2026. Organics will be collected on customers’ regular curbside collection days with no appointment required.

Organics collection options include:

• 35-gallon rigid solid waste containers with either a yellow single-use yard debris sticker looped on the handle or the City’s 2026 annual yard debris decal displayed.
• City-issued organics tipper carts (13 or 64 gallons).
• Brush and limbs may also be bundled with City of Dubuque brush ties that have a yellow single-use sticker attached. Limbs should be no more than three inches in diameter and five feet in length.

Yard debris can also be placed in brown paper yard debris bags that display a yellow City of Dubuque single-use yard waste sticker. These bags should be used for yard debris only, and should not include food scraps.

Yellow single-use stickers can be purchased at City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., and many local grocery and hardware stores.

Residents interested in obtaining a City-issued organics tipper cart or purchasing a 2026 annual yard debris decal may do so by visiting City Hall, going online to cityofdubuque.org/Organics, or by calling 563-589-4144.

Organics should not be placed in plastic bags and must be kept separate from other trash. Collections must be set out by 6 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and not weigh over 40 pounds per container or bundle.

The City offers a free tool, “ReThink Waste Dubuque,” to make it easier for City curbside collection customers to remember to set out trash, recycling, and organics; to stay informed on collection schedule changes; and to learn what can and cannot be recycled. To access the ReThink Waste Dubuque tool, visit cityofdubuque.org/ReThinkWaste. Links to download a ReThink Waste mobile app through the iTunes Store and Google Play Store are provided on the page. For additional information, call the City of Dubuque Public Works Department by calling 563-589-4250.