Le Mars Solid Waste Collection

Q.

How do I obtain a Household Waste Container?

A.

Household waste containers are provided by the City of Le Mars and are issued to each residence within City Limits.  Contact City Hall if you do not have a container.

Q.

How many Household Waste Containers can a residence have?

A.

There is no limit to the number of Household Waste Containers one residence can have; however, a fee for each container will be charged on your City Utility Bill. 

Q.

What day of the week is my household solid waste picked up?

A.

Weekly household solid waste pick up service is provided as follows:
Monday - Upper West Side. Railroad north to City limits. 12th Avenue S.W. north and east to Municipal Golf Course.
Tuesday - Upper East Side. 6th Street S.W./Park Court north to Railroad Tracks. Central Avenue east to 14th Avenue.
Wednesday - Lower East Side. 6th Street S.W./Park Court south to 17th Street. Central Avenue east to 145h Avenue.
Thursday - Lower West Side. 18th Street north to Railroad. Central avenue west to Railroad.

Q.

What time of day will my solid waste be picked up?

A.

Collection starts at 5:00 AM; Solid waste should be set out the night before. Pickup can be as late as 7:00 PM. Containers are to be removed by residents from streets or alleys no later than 24 hours after collection.

Q.

Must I pay for solid waste services while a unit is unoccupied?

A.

Yes. All residential units are charged for solid waste services unless all utility services are terminated and the meter is removed. Individuals with special circumstances may petition the Utility Board in writing to have certain charges waived.

Q.

What about holidays?

A.

There will be no collection on a designated holiday. All collections will be moved back one day following the holiday. (If the holiday falls on a Monday, normal Monday collection will occur on Tuesday; Tuesday collection will occur on Wednesday, Wednesday collection will occur on Thursday, and Thursday collection will occur on Friday.) Normal pick up will resume the following Monday.

Q.

How can I dispose of appliances and larger items?

A.

Appliances and larger items can be taken to the Plymouth County Landfill during regular operating hours for a fee, which will be charged on your City Utility Bill.  (some items may require a $10.00 per item demanufacturing charge).  Items included are air conditioners, microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, fluorescent lights, hot water heaters, furnaces, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, ranges, ovens, trash compactors and other cooling units.

Q.

Does the City offer a Spring and/or Fall Cleanup?

A.

Yes. The City declares an amnesty from the Landfill Disposal Cost, therefore, up to 1,000 pounds per household of “throw away” material delivered to the Landfill will be paid by the City of Le Mars and not billed to the household.  The City will not be picking up the items at curb side; therefore, do not place items in front of your house at the curb side.  Only residential properties can participate, not commercial or industrial.  Each Residential Household must make their own arrangements for hauling waste to the Plymouth County Landfill during this Amnesty period.  They can do the hauling themselves or use friends, neighbors or any hauling firm of their choosing.  Please refer to this page on the Le Mars Website for dates and more details. http://www.lemarsiowa.com/events/spring.htm .

Q.

How do I dispose of Hazardous Waste Materials?

A.

This includes but is not limited to paints and thinners, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, batteries, fertilizer, fuels and oils.  Please call the Plymouth County Landfill (546-6071) to make an appointment (dates to be announced).

Q.

How do I dispose of tires?

A.

Tires must be individually hauled to the Plymouth County Landfill site at the residential household’s expense.

Q.

Does the City have a Recycling Program?

A.

Yes. The City of Le Mars offers a voluntary recycling program for residences located within City Limits.

Q.

What do I place my recyclable materials in?

A.

Residential Households must place recyclable materials in a 95-gallon Blue Recycling Tote issued by the City and/or Blue Recycling Bag. 

Q.

How do I obtain a Blue Recycle Tote and/or Blue Recycle Bags?

A.

95-Gallon Blue Recycling Totes can be obtained free of charge by contacting City Hall.  Your name and address will be placed on a list and a tote will be delivered to your residence when time allows.  Blue Recycling Bags may be purchased and are available at City Hall, Hy Vee and Fareway.

Q.

How many Blue Recycle Totes can a residence have?

A.

There is no limit to the number of Blue Recycle Totes a residence can have.

Q.

Can I use a Blue Recycle Tote and the Blue Recycle Bags?

A.

Yes.  A combination of both is allowed; however, it is not necessary to place materials in a Blue Bag in the Blue Tote.  Blue Bags can simply be placed next to the Blue Tote.

Q.

When are recycling materials picked up?

A.

Recycling pick up service is provided twice per month beginning the "second full week" of each month (see schedule below - magnets are available at City Hall for your convenience).  Place recycling tote/bag alongside the household waste container on the same day as your household solid waste is picked up.

Q.

How can Businesses and Rural Households Recycle?

A.

Businesses and Rural Households can place recyclable materials in Recycling Dumpsters at the following locations:

Le Mars - Plymouth County Courthouse & Parking Lot behind Fire Station No. 1 Brunsville – SE of Elevator

Craig – NW of Town Hall

Kingsley – Between Hardware and Grocery Store

Oyens – West of Post Office

Merrill – West of Fire Station

Struble – Maintenance Shed

Westfield – West of Post Office

Q.

What materials CAN be recycled?

A.

You will be amazed at everything that is recyclable!  Look for the recycle symbol.

Glass - rinsed, unbroken, remove the lids, food jars, beverage bottles; clear glass is the most valuable; amber glass is acceptable; metal lids can be included.

Paper - dry & clean newspapers, computer paper, magazines, mixed paper, junk mail, wrapping paper at Christmas.

Tin Cans - empty, rinsed, caps, lids, & foil, food and beverage cans, hair spray cans, food spray in a can (PAM); label left on is OK.

Plastics - rinsed, lids removed, clear and colored plastics with #1,2,3,4,5, 6 & 7 stamped on bottom, milk and soap jugs, food, beverage, and household cleaning bottles, plastic bags, potato chip bags, individual cheese wrappers.

Cardboards - tissue boxes, cereal, shoe and beverage boxes, food boxes without food stains, as in hamburger helper box, cake box, pizza box, laundry soap box.

Styrofoam

Ø  Materials do not need to be separated and a plastic bag is not required when using the Blue Recycle Tote.

Ø  There is no need to remove labels or bands from cans and bottles.

Ø  Clean only enough to prevent odors.

Q.

What materials CANNOT be recycled?

A.

Do not recycle containers with traces of hazardous materials. Do not recycle dirty or food stained paper.  These items should be put out with your regular trash.

Q.

Who do I contact for residential yard waste collection?

A.

Residential yard waste collection can be contracted separately through Van’s Sanitation at:

Van’s Sanitation

1625 Industrial Road SW

Le Mars, IA  51031

(712) 548-4644

vanssan@frontiernet.net

Q.

Does the City provide a place to dispose of yard waste?

A.

Yes.  The City of Le Mars offers a yard waste drop off site at no additional charge located at the Riverview Ball Complex off Hwy 3 West.  Site is open every Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM April 1 through November 30.  No plastic bags allowed.  Trees, brush and yard waste must be separated and piled in the proper area of the drop off site.

Q.

Where can I dispose of yard waste if I do not contract with Van’s or cannot take it to the Riverview Complex on Saturday?

A.

You can take yard waste to the Plymouth County Landfill during regular operating hours for a fee that will be charged on your City Utility Bill.

Q.

How can I obtain a license if I operate a Yard Waste Business?

A.

If you operate a Commercial Yard Waste Business you can utilize the Riverview Ball Complex drop off site by obtaining an annual yard waste license at City Hall.  A license fee is set annually by the City Council.  The site can be utilized the entire calendar year with license renewal January 1 each year.