Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center - 3900 Hebl Ave SW, Iowa City, IA
The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center at 3900 Hebl Ave SW handles waste disposal, recycling, and auto salvage for Johnson County. It’s the main drop-off spot for household trash, construction debris, hazardous waste, and used car parts. The city runs the facility, which includes a self-service salvage yard for scrap metal and auto parts. Recycling programs cover electronics, oil, and other materials. Hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with weekends closed.
Services & What to Bring
The Iowa City Landfill takes general waste, construction debris, and bulky items. For recycling, it handles electronics, oil, paint, and other hazardous materials in designated areas. The salvage yard lets visitors search for used car parts, scrap metal, and reusable materials on their own.
Salvage Yard Details
The salvage yard is self-service. Visitors can browse for parts like engines, transmissions, and body panels during open hours. Basic tools for cutting and removing parts are usually available, but some customers bring their own. There’s no inventory list, so you’ll need to check vehicles yourself.
Accepted Materials
- Household trash and non-recyclables
- Construction debris (wood, drywall, metal)
- Hazardous waste (paint, oil, batteries, electronics)
- Scrap metal and used auto parts (salvage yard)
- Cardboard and paper
- Plastics (check local rules for accepted types)
Fees & Payment
Disposal and recycling services cost money. Small appliances like vacuums or toasters have a $3 fee before recycling. Vehicle disposal follows standard landfill rates, and the facility doesn’t buy cars. Pay with cash or check—cards may not be accepted. No tow services are available for abandoned vehicles.
Customer Tips
Vehicle drop-offs can take 3-5 minutes, and the salvage yard gets busy. Staff help is limited, so arrive early and bring your own tools if you plan to remove parts. For junk car sales, check out local cash-for-cars programs for a faster process.
Location & Hours
The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center is at 3900 Hebl Ave SW, Iowa City, IA 52246. It’s easy to find from Highway 6, with signs for disposal, recycling, and salvage areas. Parking is near the entrance, but spots fill up on busy days.
Hours of Operation
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Directions
From downtown Iowa City, take Highway 6 west toward Hebl Avenue. Turn right onto Hebl Ave SW—the landfill entrance is on the left after about 2 miles. GPS coordinates are 41.6606° N, 91.5392° W. Follow signs for disposal, recycling, and salvage areas once you arrive.
Recent Updates
The Iowa City Landfill has seen management changes in recent years, leading to some delays in waste processing and limited staff help. The city is monitoring these issues, with updates on the official Iowa City government site . For hazardous waste schedules and recycling programs, check the city’s notification system .
The salvage yard stays open, though parts come and go based on incoming vehicles. No major changes or expansions have been announced. Weekday mornings tend to have the best selection of recently towed cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours for the Iowa City Landfill?
The facility is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Weekends and holidays are closed. Arriving before 10:00 AM helps avoid long wait times, especially for vehicle drop-offs.
Does the Iowa City Landfill buy junk cars?
No, the landfill doesn’t buy cars. For selling a junk vehicle, try a local cash-for-cars service instead. These programs often offer faster payments and better rates than landfill disposal.
What parts are available in the salvage yard?
The salvage yard has used auto parts like engines, transmissions, body panels, bumpers, and interior components. Inventory changes often, so popular parts may sell out. Bring your own tools—the facility provides basic cutting equipment but no specialized tools.
How does self-service auto salvage work here?
Visitors enter the salvage yard during open hours and search for parts themselves. Tools for cutting and removing parts are on-site, but some customers bring their own. Staff can’t assist much due to liability rules, so you’ll need to find and remove parts on your own. Pay for parts at the front office after you pick them out.
Are there fees for recycling or disposal?
Yes, most disposal and recycling services cost money. General waste is charged by weight or load, while small appliances like vacuums or toasters have a $3 fee before recycling. Vehicle disposal follows standard landfill rates. Payment is usually due upfront for recycling.
Can I drop off hazardous waste at the landfill?
Yes, the facility takes hazardous materials like paint, oil, batteries, and electronics. Bring them to the designated hazardous waste area during open hours. The city also holds special collection events for hazardous waste—check the official website for dates.
Services & What to Bring
The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center handles waste disposal, recycling, and auto salvage. For car owners, the salvage yard lets you browse and remove used parts yourself. You’ll find vehicles in different states of disassembly, with common parts like engines, transmissions, body panels, and interior components available. Tools are usually on-site for rent.
The center also processes:
- Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous)
- Hazardous waste (oil, batteries, electronics)
- General waste and landfill services
- Construction and demolition debris
Need to get rid of an old car? The facility accepts junk vehicles for disposal. For cash offers, check out our junk car buying service instead.
The salvage yard is self-service. Visitors should:
- Bring their own tools or rent from the facility
- Pay for parts by weight or item (prices vary)
- Work during open hours only
- Follow safety rules while in the yard
