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1. How do I obtain a household waste container?

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.

2. How many household waste containers can a residence have?

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.

3. How do I have additional residential trash or recycling picked up (i.e. due to a holiday or special event)?

You may schedule an additional residential trash or recycling pick-up by contacting Van’s Sanitation at 712-548-4644. A charge of $7 will be included on your city monthly billing statement for this service. There is also a recycling dumpster located north of the fire station for your convenience.

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

Please view the Collection Schedule.

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

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

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

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.

7. What about holidays?

There will be no collection on a designated holiday. All collections will be moved back 1 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.

8. How can I dispose of appliances and larger items?

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 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.

9. Does the city offer a Spring and/or Fall cleanup?

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.

10. How do I dispose of hazardous waste materials?

This includes but is not limited to paints and thinners, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, batteries, fertilizer, fuels and oils. Please call the Plymouth County Landfill at 712-546-6071 to make an appointment.

11. How do I dispose of tires?

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

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1. Where can I take excess cardboard and/or recycling items?

Large Recycle Bins for excess cardboard and/or recycling items is located behind Fire Station #1 on 1st Avenue SW (between the Fire Station and Hardware Hank).

2. Does the city have a recycling program?

Yes. The City of Le Mars has a mandatory recycling program for residential customers located within city limits (this does not include businesses or apartments).

3. What do I place my recyclable materials in?

Residential households must place recyclable materials in a 95-gallon blue recycling tote issued by the city and/or blue recycling bag.

4. How do I obtain a blue recycle tote and/or blue recycle bags?

The 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.

5. How many blue recycle totes can a residence have?

There is no limit to the number of blue recycle totes a residence can have.

6. Can I use a blue recycle tote and the blue recycle bags?

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.

7. When are recycling materials picked up?

Recycling pick up service is provided every other week opposite the household trash pickup (see schedule below - magnets are available at City Hall for your convenience). Place recycling tote/bag in the same location you place the household trash tote on the same day your regular household trash is picked up every other week.

8. How can rural households recycle?

Please view information for rural households on the Recycling Page.

9. What materials can be recycled?

Please view the list of recyclables.

10. What materials cannot be recycled?

DO NOT RECYCLE containers with traces of hazardous materials. DO NOT RECYCLE dirty or food stained paper. DO NOT RECYCLE Plastic Grocery/Shopping Bags, Plastic Trash Bags, Glass, Clothing or Shoes!  These items should be put out with your regular trash.

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1. Who do I contact for residential yard waste collection?

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

VANS SANITATION

1553 18TH ST SW 

LE MARS IA   51031 

712-548-4644

INFO@VANSSANITATION.COM

2. Does the city provide a place to dispose of yard waste?

Yes. The City of Le Mars offers a yard waste drop off site at no additional charge located at the Riverview Ball Complex off Highway 3 W. Site is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 - 6 p.m. April 1 through November 30 (1-5 p.m. on Wednesdays after daylight savings time ends).  No plastic bags allowed. Trees, brush and yard waste must be separated and piled in the proper area of the drop off site.

3. 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?

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.

4. How can I obtain a license if I operate a yard waste business?

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.