Recycling Events

Christmas Tree Pickup

Place the Christmas tree along the curb, in the right-of-way.

City crews will make one pass through the community beginning Jan. 5 at 7 a.m.
Residents living in private developments or on private streets should also place their trees upon the city right-of-way to be picked up. City crews cannot access private streets or drives to pick up trees.
Trees should be free of all ornaments, decorations, tree stands, and plastic hauling bags.
Artificial trees and flocked trees will not be accepted.
Please secure your tree to keep the tree from blowing onto the street and creating a traffic hazard.
No other trees or branches will be collected during this program.

Leaf Collection Days

This four-week program held in the fall allows Ankeny residents to dispose of leaves free of charge.

Residents residing within the city limits of Ankeny may participate in this program.
Drop leaves off at Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center, 1220 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny
The leaf collection site is open for leaf disposal 24 hours a day.
City crews will assist residents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only.
Leaves collected in yard waste bags are permitted, and may be disposed in the containers provided.
Plastic bags and other containers shall be removed by the resident following leaf disposal.
This recycling event is just for leaf collection. Check with your private trash hauler regarding other yard waste disposal options

If you miss Leaf Collection Days, options are still available to dispose of your leaves, including:

Mulching or composting on your own property
Bagging and placing them at the curb for your trash hauler to pick up (contact your trash hauler for complete details)
Metro Park East Landfill

Spring Cleanup Days

Held every spring, residents can dispose of large unwanted items free of charge.
The designated site for Cleanup Days is at Ankeny Sanitation headquarters, located at 7002 SE Delaware Avenue, Ankeny.
Residents residing within the corporate limits of Ankeny may participate in this program. Please bring proof of residency.
Trucks larger than a pickup are prohibited from participating in the disposal of cleanup debris.

Recycle Tires at Spring Cleanup Days

Residents may bring tires, off the rim (limit 5 per household) and place them in a separate dumpster at the event provided by Metro Waste Authority. These will not be landfilled like the rest of the debris, they will be recycled. Farm or tractor tires, solid tires and bicycle tires will not be accepted.

Items NOT accepted

The following list of items are not accepted at Cleanup Days. Check with your private trash hauler or the Metro Waste Landfill for removal:

Tree Branch Recycling Events

Held three times each year, allows Ankeny residents to dispose of tree limbs and branches free of charge.
Located at the City Maintenance Facility, 211 SE Lorenz Drive, Ankeny
Participation is restricted to Ankeny residents living within the corporate city limits.
There is no fee, however participants will be asked for proof of residency.
Tree limbs and branches cannot be larger than 8" in diameter and no smaller than 1” in diameter. Larger sizes will not be accepted because of its inability to be recycled through the chipper.
Tree roots, stumps and other yard waste material will not be accepted because it may clog and jam the chipping machine.
Have the cut end of the branches stacked at the end of your vehicle for easy removal
Ensure that your vehicle or trailer is clear of items before loading with branches. Items such as ropes, chains, and fence posts have been pulled into the chipper by branches causing damage to equipment and injury to City staff.
Commercial vehicles and trucks larger than a pickup are prohibited from participating in this recycling program.

If you missed Tree and Branch Recycling Days, contact your trash hauler to arrange for the pick-up of your trees and branches. Or take them to Metro Park East Landfill.

Free Mulch and Compost*

Free mulch and compost for residential and commercial use
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Located at the City Maintenance Facility, 211 SE Lorenz Drive
Self-serve, we do not provide assistance with loading except Wednesdays and Fridays
Loading assistance available on Wednesdays and Fridays. To schedule an appointment, please call 515-963-3525 and leave a message with your preferred date and time on Wednesdays or Fridays, between 7 AM and 3:30 PM.
The mulch comes from the tree and branch clippings that are dropped off and chipped during the City's tree and branch recycling events.
The mulch is rough and has not been dyed; however, it is still effective at retaining moisture and preventing weeds around trees and plantings.
The compost is made from the wood chips and leaves the City collects during leaf collection days in the fall. The City periodically turns the compost pile with heavy equipment. The natural organic processes raise the temperature of the material but we do not add any artificial heat or cook the compost.

Cardboard Recycling Drop-off

Visit one of the free cardboard recycling drop-off locations in Ankeny:

City Maintenance Facility
211 SE Lorenz Drive, Ankeny
Prairie Ridge Middle School
1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny
Remove the packing material and flatten the box, then slide the cardboard into the container.
If the container is full, please do not pile cardboard on the ground nearby.
Leaving cardboard outside of the container is considered littering and could result in a fine.
Clean, dry cardboard (kept dry inside the container) has the best possible recycling future.
These containers are emptied six days a week. If the container is full when you arrive, please hold your material for another day or check out another metro location.
These cardboard recycling drop-offs only accept corrugated cardboard, the type with waved ridges in the middle. The flat thin stuff, with your favorite soda or cereal inside, is actually paper - not cardboard, so put those in your green Curb It! cart.