Recycling Center in City Council Bluffs: Hours, Holidays
This City of Council Bluffs recycling center guide explains the official Gifford Road Recycling Center hours, household hazardous materials schedule, holiday collection delay rules, free drop-off recycling, 24/7 container sites, yard waste fees, accepted items, not-accepted items, WasteConnect schedule help, and senior-friendly preparation steps before you drive.
The City lists regular Recycling Center hours Monday through Saturday only.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Recycling Center (712) 890-5454 Missed Collection (712) 890-5549 Official Page Council Bluffs Recycling Center → CB
Fast Answer for Council Bluffs Residents
The main City of Council Bluffs Recycling Center is located at 4441 Gifford Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. The official Recycling Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The center phone number is 712-890-5454.
Paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard are accepted for free at the Council Bluffs Recycling Center during business hours. The city also lists several 24/7 drop-off container locations for clean recyclables, but illegal dumping around those bins can lead to enforcement and fines.
On This Page
- Council Bluffs recycling overview
- Recycling Center hours
- Holiday collection schedule
- Drop-off recycling locations
- Accepted recycling items
- Not accepted items
- Household hazardous materials
- Tree and yard waste recycling
- Curbside recycling and WasteConnect
- Preparation checklist
- Official links
- Map and directions
- FAQ
City of Council Bluffs Recycling Center Overview
When residents search for city of council bluffs recycling center, they usually need one of four services: normal recycling drop-off, household hazardous materials disposal, tree and yard waste recycling, or curbside recycling schedule help. These services are connected, but the rules and hours are not the same.
The Recycling Center is not a landfill, transfer station, or bottle and can redemption site. The official city page says it does not accept household garbage, ashes, asbestos materials, ammunition, dead animals, dirt, soil, fire-damaged materials, fireworks, human waste or animal waste.
Council Bluffs Recycling Center Hours
The main Recycling Center has one schedule, while household hazardous materials has another. Do not assume paint, batteries, oil or chemicals can be dropped off any time the general center is open. Check the right row before driving.
| Service | Location | Hours | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycling Center | 4441 Gifford Rd | Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM-3:00 PM | Paper, glass, metal, plastic, cardboard, yard/tree waste services and other listed recycling services. |
| Household Hazardous Materials | 4441 Gifford Rd | Monday closed; Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM; second Saturday 8:30 AM-2:30 PM | Paint, cleaners, used oil, pesticides, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent bulbs and similar materials. |
| 24/7 Drop-Off Containers | Multiple locations | Available 24/7 at listed container sites | Clean accepted recyclables only. No dumping beside containers. |
| Curbside Recycling | Residential route service | Every other week; check WasteConnect for your address | Single-stream recycling cart with blue lid. |
Council Bluffs Recycling Holidays and Collection Delay Rules
Curbside collection does not occur on the following city-listed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. After one of those holidays, collection is one day late, with Friday collection moving to Saturday.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, curbside collection is not impacted according to the official holiday page. Still, facility hours and special drop-off services may be affected by separate city notices, weather, staffing or posted closures, so check before hauling a large or unusual load.
Council Bluffs Drop-Off Recycling Locations
The city lists the Council Bluffs Recycling Center as the main place where paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard are accepted for free during business hours. It also lists several drop-off containers that are available 24/7 for accepted recyclables.
| Location Type | Site | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Center | Council Bluffs Recycling Center | 4441 Gifford Rd | Paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard accepted free during business hours. |
| 24/7 Container | Family Fare | 1801 Valley View Dr | Cardboard accepted. |
| 24/7 Container | Fareway | 310 McKenzie Ave | Clean recyclables only. |
| 24/7 Container | Hy-Vee | 1745 Madison Ave | Clean recyclables only. |
| 24/7 Container | Iowa Western Community College | 2700 College Rd | Clean recyclables only. |
| 24/7 Container | Super Saver | 1141 North Broadway St | Cardboard accepted. |
| 24/7 Container | Wal-Mart | 3200 Manawa Centre Dr | Clean recyclables only. |
Council Bluffs Recycling Drop-Off List: Accepted Items
Council Bluffs recycling is single-stream for curbside collection, and the same basic categories appear on the drop-off list. Keep recyclables clean, empty and loose. Do not bag recycling.
| Accepted Category | Examples | Preparation Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard | Broken-down cardboard, brown paper bags, food and beverage boxes. | Flatten boxes and keep them clean. |
| Metals | Rinsed food and beverage cans. | Empty and rinse containers when possible. |
| Paper | Cartons, newspapers, junk mail, magazines and books. | Keep paper dry and loose. |
| Plastic containers | Containers with a twist-off lid, plus margarine and yogurt containers. | Empty containers and rinse food residue. |
| Glass | Clear and colored glass food and beverage containers. | Empty and rinse. Do not use drop-off bins for trash or dumping. |
Items Not Accepted at the Council Bluffs Recycling Center
The Recycling Center official page says it does not accept household garbage, ashes, asbestos materials, ammunition, dead animals, dirt, soil, fire-damaged materials, fireworks, human waste or animal waste. It is also not a landfill, transfer station, or bottle/can redemption site.
Household Hazardous Materials in Council Bluffs
The Council Bluffs Recycling Center accepts household hazardous materials on a separate schedule. The official page says disposal is free for residents of Pottawattamie County. Residential materials from outside Pottawattamie County and commercial waste are accepted for a fee, and the city asks users to call or email for details.
| HHM Topic | Official Detail | Resident Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM; second Saturday of the month 8:30 AM-2:30 PM; Monday closed. | Do not bring HHM during general center hours unless HHM service is also open. |
| Accepted examples | Cleaning products, automotive products, pesticides, paint, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent tubes/CFLs, cooking oil and nicotine vape devices. | Keep items sorted and safe for staff review. |
| Drop-off preparation | Leave materials in original containers, bring your driver’s license, and be ready to complete a short questionnaire. | Label unknown items when possible; extra questions may be required. |
| Resource room | Reusable household cleaners, car care supplies, paints and stains may be available to residents at no charge. | Ask staff about reusable products before buying new supplies. |
Tree and Yard Waste Recycling Fees and Guidelines
The Council Bluffs Recycling Center accepts and recycles tree debris and yard waste. Accepted examples include flowers and plants, garden waste excluding food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, mulch and wood chips, shrub and brush trimmings, tree branches, logs, limbs and weeds.
The city lists the yard waste recycling rate as $35 per ton, prorated, with a $5 minimum per load. Loads must be free of non-organic materials such as plastic, metal, treated wood, garbage, dirt and debris. All transactions are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
| Tree / Yard Waste Rule | Official Guideline | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Branches/logs up to 24 inches diameter | Cut no longer than 10 feet. | Oversized material can slow unloading and processing. |
| 24-36 inches diameter | Cut no longer than 6 feet. | Correct length helps avoid higher charges. |
| Greater than 36 inches diameter | Cut no longer than 4 feet. | Large logs need stricter size control. |
| Contaminated loads | Garbage, construction debris or improper log lengths can be charged at $75 per ton. | Keep yard waste clean and separated. |
| Christmas trees | Council Bluffs residents may bring natural Christmas trees at no charge through January. | Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, stands and plastic bags first. |
Curbside Recycling and WasteConnect Schedule Help
For curbside service, recycling collection occurs every other week, and the city says residents can find their schedule with the WasteConnect app or by entering their address. Recycling is single-stream, so acceptable recyclables go together in the 96-gallon recycling cart with the blue lid.
City carts must be used, all materials must fit in the cart with the lid closed, and anything placed outside the cart will not be collected. Recycling should not be bagged. To report missed collection, call Waste Connections at 712-890-5549.
How to Prepare Before Visiting the Council Bluffs Recycling Center
- Choose the right service. Use recycling drop-off for clean recyclables, household hazardous materials hours for chemicals and batteries, and yard waste recycling for organic yard debris.
- Check the day and hour. The main center is Monday-Saturday. Household hazardous materials is Tuesday-Friday and the second Saturday only.
- Keep recycling clean and loose. Rinse containers, flatten cardboard and do not bag recyclables.
- Separate hazardous materials. Paint, cleaners, motor oil, pesticides, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent bulbs and vape devices need HHM handling.
- Bring ID for HHM. The city asks household hazardous materials visitors to bring a driver’s license and be ready for a short questionnaire.
- Watch holiday delays. Curbside collection moves one day late after listed holidays, with Friday collection on Saturday.
Official Council Bluffs Recycling Links
Council Bluffs Recycling Center Map and Directions
The map below points to the City of Council Bluffs Recycling Center at 4441 Gifford Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Use it for directions, then use the official city page for final hours, accepted materials, hazardous materials timing, fees and holiday notices.
Independent guide note: Recycling-Centre.org is not the official City of Council Bluffs website. Hours, holiday notices, accepted materials, fees, hazardous materials rules and drop-off access can change. Always verify with the official city page before driving with a large, paid, hazardous, commercial or questionable load.
Frequently Asked Questions About City of Council Bluffs Recycling Center
Where is the City of Council Bluffs Recycling Center?
The Recycling Center is located at 4441 Gifford Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501.
What are Council Bluffs Recycling Center hours?
The official Recycling Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Is the Council Bluffs Recycling Center open on Sunday?
No Sunday hours are listed for the main Recycling Center. Use the official page before planning any Sunday or holiday visit.
What are household hazardous materials hours?
Household hazardous materials hours are Monday closed, Tuesday through Friday 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and the second Saturday of the month 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
What recycling items are accepted for free?
Paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard are accepted for free at the Council Bluffs Recycling Center during business hours.
Where are the 24/7 Council Bluffs recycling drop-off containers?
The city lists 24/7 drop-off containers at Family Fare, Fareway, Hy-Vee, Iowa Western Community College, Super Saver and Wal-Mart. Check the official page for exact addresses and rules.
What holidays affect Council Bluffs curbside collection?
Collection does not occur on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Collection is one day late after the holiday, with Friday collection on Saturday. If the holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, curbside collection is not impacted.
Can I take paint, oil or pesticides to the Recycling Center?
Yes, but use the household hazardous materials program and its separate hours. Accepted examples include paint, automotive products, cleaning products, pesticides, rechargeable batteries and fluorescent bulbs.
Does Council Bluffs accept yard waste at the Recycling Center?
Yes. The Recycling Center accepts tree debris and yard waste such as flowers, garden waste excluding food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, mulch, shrub trimmings, branches, logs, limbs and weeds. Fees and size rules apply.
What number do I call for missed garbage or recycling collection?
To report missed garbage collection or schedule appliance, bulky waste or special collection, call Waste Connections at 712-890-5549.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Council Bluffs recycling website?
No. This is an independent guide. Use the official City of Council Bluffs pages for final hours, holiday schedules, fees, accepted materials and service updates.
Final Local Summary
For regular drop-off recycling in Council Bluffs, use the Recycling Center at 4441 Gifford Rd during official hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-6 PM and Saturday 8 AM-3 PM. Paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard are accepted for free during business hours.
For household hazardous materials, follow the separate schedule: Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM and the second Saturday of the month 8:30 AM-2:30 PM. For curbside recycling, use WasteConnect for your every-other-week schedule. For holiday weeks, collection is one day late after listed holidays unless the holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday.