Winter Yard Waste, Food Scraps Collections Begin December 1

NOVEMBER 26, 2025

The City of Dubuque will switch to its winter schedule for collection of yard waste and food scraps on Monday, Dec. 1.

Starting Dec. 1, 2025, until April 3, 2026, residents who would like yard waste to be collected must schedule an appointment through the City's website at cityofdubuque.org/YardWaste or by calling the City of Dubuque Public Works Department at 563-589-4250.

Yard waste appointments will be scheduled and performed on customers’ normal collection day. Appointments must be scheduled by 3 p.m. on the business day prior to collection. Scheduled winter yard waste collections require either a single-use sticker, an annual decal, or the use of a City-issued 64-gallon yard waste cart. Annual decals and single-use stickers can be purchased at City Hall, 50 W. 13th St.

Residents who are signed up for food scrap collections and have previously indicated they would like weekly pickup will have their City-issued carts emptied on the regular weekly collection day with no appointment needed. All other food scraps collections must be done by appointment. The City reminds food scraps subscribers to prevent items from freezing to the inside of the cart by lining it with newspaper or a paper bag.

Dubuque’s winter yard waste and food scraps collections will run through Friday, April 3, 2026.

For more information on yard waste and food scraps collections, visit cityofdubuque.org/YardWaste or call 563-589-4250.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Ken Miller, Interim Resource Management Supervisor
kmiller@cityofdubuque.org, 563.589.4250