Plan Your Council Bluffs Recycling Drop-Off Without Mixing Free, Paid and Hazardous Materials
The Council Bluffs Recycling Center handles far more than ordinary cans and cardboard. Residents can use the Gifford Road facility for electronics, appliances, furniture, construction debris, household hazardous materials, scrap metal, tires, yard waste, sharps and other specialty materials.
The key is choosing the correct service before you load. Standard recycling, fee-based materials and household hazardous materials follow different rules, prices and sometimes different hours.
Quick Answer: Council Bluffs Recycling Center Hours, Address and Phone
The Council Bluffs Recycling Center is located at 4441 Gifford Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. The current phone number is 712-890-5454.
Regular Recycling Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. Household hazardous materials have a separate schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 10:30 AM–5:30 PM, plus the second Saturday of each month, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM.
On this page
- Regular and HHM hours
- What the center is
- Free basic recycling
- 24/7 drop-off sites
- Current fee overview
- Electronics
- Appliances
- Furniture and bulky waste
- Construction debris
- Scrap metal
- Tires
- Trees and yard waste
- Mulch products
- Household hazardous materials
- HHM Resource Room
- Needles and sharps
- Curbside alternatives
- Holiday planning
- Not accepted
- Load preparation
- Map
- Official sources
- FAQ
Council Bluffs Recycling Center Hours: Regular Drop-Off vs HHM
Do not use one schedule for every material. Normal recycling-center services operate longer hours than the household hazardous materials program.
| Service | Day | Current Hours | Use It For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Recycling Center | Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–6:00 PM | Basic recycling and regular fee-based center services. |
| Regular Recycling Center | Saturday | 8:00 AM–3:00 PM | Weekend recycling, appliances, electronics, bulky loads and other regular services. |
| Household Hazardous Materials | Monday | Closed | Do not bring HHM for intake on Monday. |
| Household Hazardous Materials | Tuesday–Friday | 10:30 AM–5:30 PM | Paint, pesticides, cleaners, fuels, rechargeable batteries and similar HHM. |
| Household Hazardous Materials | Second Saturday monthly | 8:30 AM–2:30 PM | Limited Saturday HHM access. |
What the Council Bluffs Recycling Center Is — and Is Not
The Recycling Center is a City-operated material recovery and special-waste facility. It opened in 1997 and provides local routes for materials that cannot always use normal curbside collection.
Recycling facility
It accepts normal recyclables plus many specialty materials including electronics, appliances, tires, scrap metal and yard waste.
Not a landfill
Do not bring ordinary household garbage expecting a landfill or transfer-station disposal service.
Not a redemption center
The City specifically says the facility is not a bottle or can redemption site. Free recycling does not mean deposit-refund payment.
What Can Be Recycled for Free?
The simplest drop-off category is ordinary clean household recycling. The City currently accepts paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard at no charge during Recycling Center business hours.
Cardboard
Break down cardboard. Brown paper bags and clean food and beverage boxes are also listed.
Paper
Cartons, newspapers, junk mail, magazines and books are among the listed paper materials.
Metal containers
Rinse food and beverage cans before recycling.
Plastic containers
The City focuses on plastic containers with twist-off lids plus margarine and yogurt containers.
Glass
Clear and colored glass food and beverage containers can be dropped off at the Recycling Center.
Scrap metal
A separate free scrap-metal program accepts many clean metal items from residents and businesses.
24/7 Council Bluffs Recycling Drop-Off Locations
If you only have eligible ordinary recyclables, the City currently lists six satellite container locations available 24 hours a day. These are not substitutes for the staffed center’s electronics, appliance, HHM, tire or bulky-waste programs.
| Location | Address | Access | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Fare | 1801 Valley View Dr | 24/7 | Cardboard specifically listed as accepted. |
| Fareway | 310 McKenzie Ave | 24/7 | Use only for listed clean recyclables. |
| Hy-Vee | 1745 Madison Ave | 24/7 | Do not leave non-recyclables beside containers. |
| Iowa Western Community College | 2700 College Rd | 24/7 | Basic listed recyclables only. |
| Super Saver | 1141 N Broadway St | 24/7 | Cardboard specifically listed as accepted. |
| Walmart | 3200 Manawa Centre Dr | 24/7 | Use only for the City’s listed recycling stream. |
Council Bluffs Recycling Center Fee Guide
Not everything with a recycling route is free. The table below brings the major current fee categories into one place so you can estimate which loads require payment or weighing.
| Material | Current Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Paper, plastic, cardboard, basic metals, glass | No fee | Must match accepted basic-recycling rules. |
| Free scrap metal | No fee | Fluids, batteries, propane cylinders and prohibited components must be removed as applicable. |
| Electronics | $0.45 per pound | Actual scale weight determines final price. |
| Non-refrigerant appliance | $8 residential / $14 commercial | Examples include washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove and water heater. |
| Refrigerant appliance | $20 residential / $26 commercial | Refrigerator, freezer, AC and dehumidifier. |
| Bulky waste / furniture | $75 per ton | $10 minimum, covering up to roughly 260 lb. |
| Clean concrete | $40 per ton | $10 minimum, roughly up to 500 lb. |
| Regular construction debris | $75 per ton | $10 minimum. |
| Clean unpainted untreated lumber | $40 per ton | $10 minimum. |
| Tree debris / yard waste | $35 per ton | $5 minimum; approximately $5 per 300 lb. |
| Tires, stacked | $350 per ton | Average passenger tire example is about $5 each. |
| Tires, unstacked | $700 per ton | Average passenger tire example is about $10 each. |
Electronics Recycling: Computers, TVs, Monitors and More
Electronic devices are currently charged at $0.45 per pound. Devices are weighed at arrival, so published examples are planning estimates rather than guaranteed prices.
Computers & laptops
Desktop systems, laptops and related electronics can be recycled. Back up important information and remove personal data before drop-off.
TVs & monitors
CRT and other screens are weighed. Large older televisions can be much heavier—and therefore more expensive—than modern flat panels.
Phones & tablets
Remove personal information, SIM cards and removable memory before recycling data-bearing devices.
Printers & scanners
Printers, scanners and similar office electronics can use the electronics-recycling stream.
Cables & network gear
Cords, chargers, networking devices and related equipment are among the electronic categories handled by the program.
Data warning
Do not assume general e-waste recycling automatically includes certified data destruction. Wipe sensitive devices before surrender.
City Electronics Cost Examples
| Example Device | City Example Weight | Approximate Cost at $0.45/lb |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop | 12 lb | About $5 |
| CPU / computer tower | 20 lb | About $9 |
| 15-inch computer monitor | 34 lb | About $15 |
| 13-inch CRT television | 23 lb | About $10 |
| 25–26-inch CRT television | 85 lb | About $38 |
| 32-inch CRT television | 110 lb | About $50 |
For data, battery and TV preparation, see the site’s Electronic Recycling Center Near Me guide.
Appliance Recycling Fees: Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers and More
Appliance fees depend on whether the unit contains—or contained—refrigerant. Refrigerant-containing appliances cost more because they require special processing.
| Appliance | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | $8 | $14 |
| Dryer | $8 | $14 |
| Furnace | $8 | $14 |
| Microwave | $8 | $14 |
| Stove / range | $8 | $14 |
| Washer | $8 | $14 |
| Water heater | $8 | $14 |
| Air conditioner | $20 | $26 |
| Dehumidifier | $20 | $26 |
| Freezer | $20 | $26 |
| Refrigerator | $20 | $26 |
| Tanning bed | $125 | $125 |
| Ammonia refrigerator under 4 ft | $300 | Call first |
| Ammonia refrigerator over 4 ft | $500 | Call first |
Furniture, Mattresses and Bulky Waste
The Recycling Center accepts large non-hazardous household items that are too bulky for standard cart collection.
Furniture
Sofas, chairs, tables, beds, dressers and similar furniture can use the bulky-waste route.
Mattresses
Mattresses and box springs of different sizes are listed under bulky waste.
Carpet and rugs
Carpets, area rugs and similar floor coverings are included in the current bulky-waste guidance.
The current rate is $75 per ton, prorated, with a $10 minimum charge. Around 260 pounds corresponds to the $10 minimum increment under the City’s current explanation.
Construction Debris: Concrete, Lumber, Drywall, Roofing and More
The Recycling Center accepts many construction and remodeling materials, but pricing depends on whether the load is clean concrete, clean lumber or mixed construction debris.
| Material | Current Rate | Preparation / Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Clean concrete | $40/ton · $10 minimum | Blocks, bricks and broken concrete should be substantially free of dirt and exposed rebar. |
| Clean untreated lumber | $40/ton · $10 minimum | Use this lower rate only for clean, unpainted, untreated lumber. |
| Regular construction debris | $75/ton · $10 minimum | Can include drywall, carpeting, siding, treated lumber and other accepted construction material. |
Current accepted examples include concrete, drywall, window glass, bagged loose insulation, construction metal, PVC-type plastics, non-asbestos roofing, tiles, laminate, carpet, plywood and other treated or untreated wood.
Free Scrap Metal Recycling
Council Bluffs currently offers free scrap-metal drop-off for residents and businesses. This is a recycling service, not a scrap-metal buyback program, so do not expect payment for the metal.
For broader metal preparation guidance, see Metal Recycling Center Near Me.
Tire Recycling: Passenger, Truck, Tractor, ATV and More
The Center accepts many tire types including passenger car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, lawn mower, tractor/agricultural, trailer, ATV and off-road tires. Tires with rims are also listed.
Stacked tires
Current rate: $350 per ton. The City gives an average passenger-car example of roughly $5 each when stacked.
Unstacked tires
Current rate: $700 per ton. The City gives an average passenger-car example of roughly $10 each when unstacked.
Final tire pricing depends on actual weight and how the load is delivered. Transactions are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
For load-planning help, see Tire Recycling Center Near Me.
Tree Debris and Yard Waste: Exact Size Rules Matter
The Center accepts flowers, plants, garden waste without food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, mulch, wood chips, shrub trimmings, brush, tree branches, logs, limbs and weeds.
The current rate is $35 per ton, prorated, with a $5 minimum charge. The City describes the rate as approximately $5 for every 300 pounds.
Branch and Log Size Limits
| Log Diameter | Maximum Length | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 24 inches | 10 feet | Longer material can trigger the higher contaminated/improper-load rate. |
| 24–36 inches | 6 feet | Cut larger trunk pieces shorter before transport. |
| Over 36 inches | 4 feet | Very large logs need the shortest pieces. |
Christmas Trees
Council Bluffs residents can currently bring clean natural Christmas trees at no charge through January. Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, stands and plastic tree bags first. Non-residents and commercial entities pay the normal tree-disposal rate.
Recycled Wood Mulch Available From the Center
Tree and wood material brought to the Center is also turned into mulch products. The City currently sells landscape mulch for $40 per ton.
Construction-lumber mulch is free to residents who load it themselves. If facility staff use an end loader, the current charge is $8 per loader bucket.
Household Hazardous Materials: Paint, Oil, Batteries and Chemicals
HHM disposal is currently free for residents of Pottawattamie County. Residential materials from outside the county and commercial hazardous waste can be accepted for a fee, but those customers should call first for details.
Paint & coatings
Latex paint, oil-based paint, spray paint and stains are currently listed.
Automotive products
Antifreeze, brake fluid, fuels, motor oil, oil filters, waxes and related household automotive products are listed.
Rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries are handled through the HHM program rather than ordinary recycling containers.
Pesticides
Weed killers, insect-control products, fungicides and similar household pesticides are accepted.
Fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs are listed under the HHM program.
Other accepted products
Household cleaners, cooking oil and individually bagged nicotine vape devices are among current listed examples.
HHM Drop-Off Steps
Free HHM Resource Room for Reusable Products
The Center’s HHM program includes a Resource Room intended to keep usable material from becoming waste. Reusable household cleaners, automotive-care products, paints and stains in good condition can be made available to residents at no charge.
Curbside Recycling and Pickup Alternatives
You may not need to drive to Gifford Road for every load. Waste Connections provides City-contracted curbside garbage, recycling, yard-waste and special collection services.
Every-other-week recycling
City curbside recycling is collected every other week in a 96-gallon blue-lid cart. Use WasteConnect to check your address-specific schedule.
Two appliance pickups
Eligible residential service includes two appliance collections per year. Schedule through Waste Connections.
Two bulky pickups
City service also includes two bulky-waste collections per year for furniture and similar items.
Curbside Recycling Rules
- Do not bag recycling.
- All recyclables must fit inside the City cart with the lid closed.
- Rinse food and beverage containers.
- Break down cardboard.
- Glass does not belong in the curbside cart.
- Do not put plastic bags, electrical equipment, batteries, clothing or toys in the curbside recycling cart.
For missed curbside collection, appliance pickup or bulky-waste scheduling, call Waste Connections at 712-890-5549.
Holiday Schedule: Do Not Confuse Curbside Delays With Facility Hours
The City’s published holiday schedule primarily controls curbside collection. It does not guarantee that the Recycling Center itself will be open on a holiday.
Curbside collection does not occur on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Collection moves one day later after the holiday, with Friday collection occurring Saturday. If the holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, normal curbside collection is not affected by that holiday rule.
Items the Council Bluffs Recycling Center Does Not Accept
The facility has broad services, but it is not a disposal route for every household or construction material.
Complete Before-You-Go Checklist
- Identify the exact material. Do not load a mixed garage cleanout without separating recycling, electronics, furniture, construction waste and HHM.
- Check the correct hours. HHM hours are narrower than general Recycling Center hours.
- Use the main facility for specialty materials. The 24/7 satellite bins are only for the City’s listed basic recyclables.
- Flatten cardboard. This saves container space and reduces overflow.
- Rinse bottles, cans and jars. Keep food residue out of recycling.
- Do not bag ordinary recycling. Keep acceptable materials loose.
- Back up electronics. Remove personal data from computers, phones and tablets.
- Check electronics weight-based fees. TVs and old CRT monitors can be much heavier than expected.
- Separate appliances from scrap metal. Appliances have their own fee schedule.
- Remove propane cylinders from grills. A grill can use the scrap program only after prohibited components are removed.
- Drain lawn-equipment fluids. Batteries and liquids must be handled through the appropriate route.
- Cut logs to the City’s dimensions. Oversized tree material can trigger the $75-per-ton rate.
- Keep tree loads clean. Do not mix metal, garbage, dirt or construction debris into yard waste.
- Stack tires when practical. The current stacked rate is half the unstacked ton rate.
- Bring a driver’s license for HHM. Keep chemical products in original containers whenever possible.
- Bring payment for fee materials. Do not assume everything at a recycling center is free.
- Allow unloading time before closing. Large loads may require inspection, weighing and payment.
- Secure truck and trailer loads. Keep loose material from blowing, spilling or falling onto local roads.
- Check holiday or severe-weather alerts. Public facility access can change independently of normal weekly hours.
- Take rejected items with you. Never leave waste outside the gate or beside a drop-off container.
Council Bluffs Recycling Center Map and Directions
The main Recycling Center is on Gifford Road. Use the map for routing, but use the City website for the final answer about hours, HHM availability and current item fees.
Official Council Bluffs Sources Used for This Guide
The City’s item-specific pages provide stronger answers than general map listings because different materials have different prices, schedules and preparation requirements.
Main Recycling Center
Official address, regular hours, HHM hours, contact details, facility scope and major exclusions.
Open official Recycling Center pageDrop-Off Recycling Locations
Official free-recycling list and six 24/7 satellite container locations.
Open drop-off locationsElectronics Recycling
Current $0.45-per-pound electronics rate and City weight examples.
Open electronics rulesAppliance Recycling
Residential and commercial pricing for refrigerant and non-refrigerant appliances.
Open appliance feesHousehold Hazardous Materials
HHM eligibility, hours, accepted chemicals, ID requirement and Resource Room information.
Open HHM guidanceBulky Waste & Furniture
Current $75-per-ton bulky-waste rate and accepted furniture/mattress categories.
Open bulky-waste guidanceConstruction Debris
Clean concrete, clean lumber and mixed construction rates plus accepted and prohibited items.
Open construction rulesScrap Metal
Free scrap-metal drop-off list and excluded metal-related items.
Open scrap-metal guidanceTire Recycling
Current stacked and unstacked tire rates and accepted tire categories.
Open tire guidanceTrees & Yard Waste
Current yard-waste rate, log-dimension rules, contamination charges and Christmas-tree program.
Open yard-waste rulesWood Mulch Products
Current landscape mulch and construction-lumber mulch pricing.
Open mulch informationCurbside Recycling
Every-other-week collection, blue-lid cart rules, glass exclusion and WasteConnect information.
Open curbside recycling rulesFrequently Asked Questions About Council Bluffs Recycling Center
Where is Council Bluffs Recycling Center?
The City facility is at 4441 Gifford Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501.
What are the Council Bluffs Recycling Center hours?
Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Is Council Bluffs Recycling Center open Sunday?
No Sunday regular hours are currently listed. Use one of the City’s approved 24/7 basic-recycling drop-off containers when your material qualifies.
What are the household hazardous materials hours?
HHM is currently open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM and the second Saturday of each month from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Monday is closed for HHM.
Is household hazardous waste free?
HHM disposal is currently free for Pottawattamie County residents. Residential waste from outside Pottawattamie County and commercial waste may be accepted for a fee.
Do I need ID for hazardous waste drop-off?
Yes. The City asks HHM customers to bring a driver’s license and complete a short questionnaire about the products being dropped off.
What recycling is free?
Paper, glass, basic metals, plastic containers and cardboard are accepted free when they meet the City’s recycling rules. Qualifying scrap metal is also accepted free.
How much does electronics recycling cost?
The current electronics rate is $0.45 per pound. Devices are weighed at arrival and the actual weight determines the final charge.
How much does it cost to recycle a refrigerator?
The current residential fee for a normal refrigerant-containing refrigerator is $20. Commercial pricing is $26. Ammonia-gas refrigerators use a separate much higher fee schedule.
Does Council Bluffs Recycling Center accept furniture?
Yes. Furniture, mattresses, box springs, rugs and other qualifying bulky non-hazardous household items are accepted under the current $75-per-ton bulky-waste rate with a $10 minimum.
Does the Recycling Center accept construction debris?
Yes. It accepts many construction materials including clean concrete, drywall, insulation, construction glass, metal, roofing, tiles, carpet and wood. Prices depend on whether the load is clean concrete, clean untreated lumber or regular mixed construction debris.
Does Council Bluffs accept tires?
Yes. Car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, lawn mower, tractor, trailer, ATV and other listed tires are accepted, including tires with rims. Current pricing is weight-based and differs for stacked and unstacked loads.
Does Council Bluffs Recycling Center accept yard waste?
Yes. Grass, leaves, plants, brush, tree branches, logs, limbs, mulch and wood chips are accepted when clean and prepared to the City’s size rules. The current rate is $35 per ton with a $5 minimum.
Can I recycle glass at the curb in Council Bluffs?
No. Glass is excluded from the City’s blue-lid curbside recycling cart. Use the Gifford Road Recycling Center or one of the approved drop-off recycling containers.
Are there 24-hour recycling drop-off sites in Council Bluffs?
Yes. The City currently lists 24/7 containers at Family Fare, Fareway, Hy-Vee, Iowa Western Community College, Super Saver and Walmart. Only listed recycling materials may be placed in or around those containers.
Does the facility pay for scrap metal or cans?
No. The City provides free recycling for qualifying scrap metal, but the Recycling Center is not a scrap buyback or bottle/can redemption facility.
What materials are not accepted?
Major prohibited categories include household garbage, ashes, asbestos, ammunition, dead animals, dirt or soil, fire-damaged material, fireworks and human or animal waste.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Council Bluffs Recycling Center website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Confirm current facility hours, prices, hazardous-material schedules, holiday closures and unusual materials directly with the City of Council Bluffs before visiting.