Recycling in Burlington, IA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Bulky Item Collection (opens in new tab) · City of Burlington
  • Each household receives 3 free bulky item pickups per calendar year; after that, trash tags are required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Acceptable items include furniture (couches, chairs, tables, dressers, beds) and pest-free mattresses and box springs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Requests must be submitted by 3 p.m. at least 3 business days before trash day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires, auto parts and hazardous waste are not collected. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appliances and TVs always require tags and are not part of the free bulky item program. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Trash Tag Requirements (opens in new tab) · City of Burlington
  • Televisions and appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves and more) require a scheduled pickup and 5 trash tags each. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Curbside Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Burlington
  • Clean corrugated cardboard, flattened and bundled, is recyclable curbside. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Burlington contracts with Des Moines County Area Recyclers for curbside recycling, collected every other week; a program-approved green bin is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Burlington
  • An appointment is always necessary at the Haz Chem Center; call 319-753-8758. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Burlington counts electronic waste, including anything computer related and TVs, as household hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Iowa DNR lists the HazChem Center (13758 Washington Rd., West Burlington) as main RCC for Des Moines County and for Henry County's incorporated areas. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa Code 455D.10: Land disposal of lead acid batteries prohibited; collection for recycling (opens in new tab) · Iowa Legislature (Legislative Services Agency)
  • Land disposal of lead-acid batteries has been prohibited in Iowa since July 1, 1990. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Iowa retailers selling lead-acid batteries must accept used lead-acid batteries from customers buying new ones, at the point of sale. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR disposal guide: Batteries (Lead Acid) (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • DNR: it is illegal in Iowa to put lead-acid batteries in the garbage or trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR says lead-acid batteries may also be recycled at the local Regional Collection Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR: the law requires retailers to accept an old lead-acid battery at the point of sale when you buy a new one. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR fact sheet: Battery Recycling/Disposal (revised 8/2015) (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • DNR notes that some retailers will take a lead-acid battery even without a new battery purchase. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • DNR says rechargeable batteries should not go in the trash or the recycling bin. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network
  • Enter a ZIP code in The Battery Network locator to find drop-off sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries; check each location's details before visiting. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.