Regional Compliance Hub: Chemicals (Free), Electronics (Fee) & Recycling (Mon–Sat) — Cedar Rapids / Linn County, IA (Marion)

This regional hub is designed to keep communities compliant by directing residents to the correct, approved facility when apartment recycling is not provided (or bins overflow) and when dumpsters strictly ban electronics and chemicals. The Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency lists corrugated cardboard as banned from disposal in the landfill and convenience-area containers (along with hazardous waste and screens). [1]

For a true one-stop hazardous waste + electronics + recycling solution, the region’s primary “Solid Waste & Recovery” compliance hub is the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency at 1954 County Home Road, Marion. [2]

Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency (Marion): HazMat (Free) + Electronics (Fee) + Recycling

The “One-Stop” HazMat Solution: The Solid Waste Agency states it accepts household hazardous materials from Linn County residents for no cost at the Marion location (inside the Resource Recovery building). [3][4]

Hours: Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Saturday: by appointment only (limited availability). [2][4]

Electronics Recycling: Electronics are accepted only at the Marion location. TVs and monitors are accepted with a published fee. [5]

Fee (Screens): The Solid Waste Agency publishes $15 per TV/monitor (or $0.25/lb for loads with 5+ TVs/monitors). [5]

The “Cardboard Ban” Compliance: Because corrugated cardboard is listed as banned from landfill disposal, this site is the “ultimate drop-off” when your building’s recycling capacity is full or missing. [1]

  • Facility: Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency — Landfill & Recycling (Marion)[2]
  • Address: 1954 County Home Road, Marion, IA 52302[2]
  • Hours: Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sat: appointment only[2]
  • HazMat Cost (Residents): No charge for Linn County residents (household-only loads)[3]
  • Electronics Fee (Screens): TVs & monitors: $15/unit (or $0.25/lb for 5+ units)[5]
  • Landfill Ban List Includes: Corrugated cardboard, hazardous waste (incl. paints), and TVs/monitors[1]

Crucial Warnings: Glass, The “Bucket” Rule & Bulk Trash

The “Glass” Situation (Apartment Gap): City Bucket Program vs. Apartment Reality

City Rule (Single-Family Curbside): The City of Cedar Rapids states glass should NOT be placed in CURBY carts. Instead, residents set out all colors of glass in a 2–5 gallon bucket beside the cart. [6][7]

Apartment Reality: Many apartment communities do not offer the City’s bucket-style glass set-out system.

Action (Deposit Bottles/Cans): Take deposit containers to a redemption center such as Can Shed — 4121 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids. [8]

Non-Deposit Glass (Jars/Wine Bottles): If your property does not provide a dedicated glass pathway, the safest compliance option is to self-haul to an approved recycling facility (such as the Solid Waste Agency) and follow posted drop-off signage. [2]

  • City Glass Rule: No glass in CURBY; use a 2–5 gallon bucket beside cart[6]
  • Deposit Redemption (Example): Can Shed — 4121 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA[8]

Bulk Trash (Furniture): Apartments Don’t Use the City’s Primary Curbside Path

Apartment Reality: Bulk programs are generally structured around city curbside cart customers. If your community uses a private hauler, you typically cannot set a couch at the curb and expect City service. [9]

Action: Do not leave furniture at the dumpster. Self-haul bulky items to the Solid Waste Agency (fees may apply depending on material type) or hire a private junk removal service. [2]

Batteries: Never Bin Lithium-Ion (Fire Risk) — Use Approved Drop-Off

The Ban (Practical Safety): Lithium and lithium-ion batteries are a leading cause of fires in collection and processing systems—keep them out of dumpsters.

The Solution: The Solid Waste Agency lists battery recycling drop-off options and accepts a wide range of battery types (including lithium & lithium-ion) through its recycling program. [10]

Resident Best Practice: When in doubt, take batteries directly to the Marion facility and follow staff/site instructions for proper drop-off. [2][10]

  • Battery Program: Battery recycling drop-off boxes accept lithium & lithium-ion (and other types)[10]
  • Primary Compliance Hub: Solid Waste Agency — 1954 County Home Rd, Marion[2]

How We Solve This For You (National Doorstep)

The “apartment gap” is usually not intent—it is infrastructure + process. National Doorstep helps property management reduce contamination, prevent overflow, and create consistent resident behavior through valet waste, valet recycling, and on-site education designed for multifamily operations.

Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Cedar Rapids / Linn County Property

EEAT Sources: [1] Solid Waste Agency: Items Banned from Landfill (includes corrugated cardboard; hazardous waste; TVs/monitors; enforcement/surcharge notice)  |  [2] Solid Waste Agency: Hours & Locations (1954 County Home Rd, Marion; Mon–Fri 7–4; Sat by appointment)  |  [3] Solid Waste Agency: Residential Hazardous Materials (no cost for Linn County residents)  |  [4] Solid Waste Agency: Hazardous Materials (weekdays no appointment; Saturday appointment required)  |  [5] Solid Waste Agency: Electronics Recycling (TVs/monitors $15/unit; 5+ units $0.25/lb; resident eligibility)  |  [6] City of Cedar Rapids: Collection Requirements (Do NOT place glass in CURBY; set glass in 5-gallon bucket beside cart)  |  [7] City of Cedar Rapids: Glass Recycling (2–5 gallon bucket guidance; accepted glass examples)  |  [8] Can Shed: Cedar Rapids location (4121 16th Ave SW)  |  [9] City of Cedar Rapids: Bulky Item Collection (curbside bulky-item pathway and disposal guidance)  |  [10] Solid Waste Agency: Batteries, Bulbs & Sharps (battery drop-off program; lithium & lithium-ion accepted)

 
National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

Cedar Rapids apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: protect your assets from avoidable code issues while giving residents the clean, convenient valet trash & recycling experience they expect. National Doorstep designs valet trash & recycling programs that align with Cedar Rapids Municipal Code Chapters 24, 24A, and 24B and Linn County’s Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Ordinance, helping you stay ahead of enforcement while boosting resident satisfaction and NOI.

Within the City of Cedar Rapids, the Solid Waste & Recycling Division provides city-run garbage, recycling, and organics collection to most residential properties, and the code requires adequate solid-waste containers at all dwelling units and businesses under Chapter 24 – Solid Waste and Recycling. Separate chapters cover Residential Curbside Recycling (24A) and a corrugated cardboard landfill ban (24B), which support state waste-reduction goals and the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency system. In Linn County, a county cardboard ordinance requires recyclable corrugated cardboard to be kept out of the landfill and enforces violations as county infractions, with civil penalties that can accrue daily.

  • Code-Aware Design: We align on-site trash & recycling with Cedar Rapids Chapters 24, 24A, 24B and Linn County cardboard-separation rules so your property manager can document good-faith compliance.
  • Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection keeps residents out of dark, icy enclosures, reduces illegal dumping, and supports renewals, reviews, and overall community reputation.
  • Cardboard & Contamination Control: Structured collection helps residents keep corrugated cardboard clean and separate, supporting both city and county landfill-diversion policies.
  • Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation while your on-site team focuses on leasing, service, and operations.

At a Glance: City of Cedar Rapids vs. Linn County & Surrounding Communities

City of Cedar Rapids (Inside City Limits)

Linn County & Other Nearby Jurisdictions

  • Mandate Type (County): Mandatory separation of recyclable corrugated cardboard under the Linn County Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 35) and related landfill ban.
  • Applicability Threshold: Applies broadly to generators of recyclable corrugated cardboard in Linn County (including multifamily, commercial, and institutional properties). There is no published county ordinance that specifically sets a “5+ unit” or “20+ unit” apartment recycling threshold.
  • Program Duties: Keep recyclable corrugated cardboard clean and separated from garbage for reuse or recycling; use permitted facilities such as the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency for drop-off and processing.
  • Risk Profile: Violations of the county cardboard ordinance are enforced as county infractions. Each day a violation continues can be treated as a separate offense, increasing civil-penalty exposure over time.
  • Key County & Regional Links:
    Linn County – Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 35) · Linn County – Enforcement Ordinance (Chapter 19) · Linn County FAQ – Solid Waste Agency Contact · Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency

Cedar Rapids & Linn County Fines & Penalties Snapshot

  • Cedar Rapids – Municipal Infractions: Recycling and solid-waste violations are generally enforced as municipal infractions under Iowa Code § 364.22, which allows civil penalties up to $750 for a first violation and up to $1,000 for each repeat or continuing violation. For environmental-type violations, penalties can be assessed on a per-day basis.
  • Linn County – County Infractions: Violations of the Linn County cardboard ordinance are enforced as county infractions under Iowa Code § 331.307, with civil penalties up to $750 per violation and up to $1,000 per repeat or continuing violation. The ordinance specifies that each day a violation exists can be treated as a separate offense.
  • Utility Liens for Unpaid Service: Under Iowa Code § 384.84, unpaid solid-waste and recycling charges can become a lien against the property in many situations. For a property manager, that means ignored utility bills can follow the asset, not just the resident account.
  • No Separate “Recycling Fine Table” in Code: Neither Cedar Rapids nor Linn County currently publish a standalone, recycling-only fine schedule; instead, recycling-related violations fall under these broader municipal/county infraction frameworks and any adopted fine schedules or resolutions.
  • Risk-Management Tip for Property Managers: Treat these “up to $750/$1,000” penalty caps as a risk range. A documented, well-run valet trash & recycling program with clear resident education, photos, and hauler records is your best defense if a complaint or inspection escalates.

Cedar Rapids / Linn County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist

Task Action / Requirement for Property Managers Helpful Links
☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Service Type Verify whether your community is inside Cedar Rapids city limits, in another Linn County city, or in unincorporated Linn County. Confirm whether you are using city-provided carts or a private hauler. City-served properties must follow Chapters 24, 24A, 24B; properties elsewhere must follow local ordinances plus the Linn County cardboard rules. Cedar Rapids Municipal Code · Linn County Code – Table of Contents
☑ Provide Adequate Trash & Recycling Capacity Under Chapter 24, each dwelling unit must have access to solid-waste containers that are adequate in size and number. Make sure residents have sufficient trash and recycling capacity (carts, dumpsters, or compactors) to prevent overflow and illegal dumping, whether your service is city-provided or contracted. Cedar Rapids Code – Chapter 24 · Garbage & Recycling Overview
☑ Separate & Manage Corrugated Cardboard Treat corrugated cardboard as a priority material. Both Cedar Rapids Chapter 24B and the Linn County cardboard ordinance require recyclable corrugated cardboard to be kept out of the landfill where practical. Implement resident-friendly methods (valet collection, enclosure cages, baling, or dedicated carts) to keep cardboard clean, flattened, and separated from trash. Cedar Rapids Code – Chapter 24B · Linn County – Chapter 35 · Solid Waste Agency – Cardboard & Recycling
☑ Keep Enclosures Clean, Safe & Accessible Design and maintain dumpster and cart enclosures so residents can safely dispose of trash and recyclables without overflow, blocked lids, or loose debris. A doorstep collection program can dramatically reduce nuisance conditions, windblown litter, and contamination that draw complaints and inspections. Cedar Rapids – Collection Guidelines · Solid Waste Agency – Drop-off Appointments
☑ Monitor Bills & Avoid Utility Liens For city-served properties, monitor solid-waste and recycling bills closely. Under Iowa Code § 384.84, unpaid utility charges (including solid waste) can become a lien on the property. Build internal controls so accounts are paid on time, even when resident turnover is high. Cedar Rapids Rental Property – Procedures & Policies · Iowa Code § 384.84 – Utility Liens
☑ Understand Civil Penalty Exposure Make sure your leadership team understands that solid-waste and recycling issues can be cited as municipal or county infractions, with civil penalties up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat or continuing offenses. Because each day can be treated as a separate violation, unresolved problems can escalate quickly. Iowa Code § 364.22 – Municipal Infractions · Iowa Code § 331.307 – County Infractions · Linn County – Enforcement Ordinance
☑ Document Service, Issues & Resident Education Build a simple compliance file: service logs, photos of enclosures, contamination notes, hauler contracts, and resident-facing education pieces. When a complaint or inspection occurs, this documentation shows that your property manager has a structured program in place to help residents recycle correctly. City Solid Waste & Recycling Info · Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency

Want a program that keeps residents happy and inspectors satisfied? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Cedar Rapids / Linn County property. We’ll review your current trash & recycling setup, right-size containers and service levels, map out resident-friendly valet routes, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Cedar Rapids and Linn County requirements.

Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.

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