Trash & Recycling

Garbage Collection 

Ankeny Sanitation collects residential garbage using fully-automated collection vehicles.

  • Please follow the guidelines below to ensure that your garbage collection goes smoothly.
  • Please place all of your garbage (excluding yard waste and recycling) within the garbage container. Garbage that is not inside the container can not be collected.
  • Please place your garbage container at the curb, with the wheels away from the street, by 6:30 a.m. on your collection day. In order for the collection vehicle to grasp the container effectively, it must be within 18 inches of the curb and at least 4 feet from any obstacles (e.g., mailboxes, signs, trees, utility structures).
  • Also please close the lid on the container, and make sure it is not near any parked cars.

Purchase Large Trash Stickers

  • If you have large items, or more trash than can fit in your cart, Extra Trash Pick Up Tags ($1) and Large Item Pick Up Tags ($5) be purchased at these retailers or online. 
    • Windsor Heights residents can purchase stickers at retailers located in other cities. They don't have to be purchased within the city of Windsor Heights.
  • Pickup is on your normal collection day. 

How Many Stickers Do I Need?

The larger the item, the more it costs to collect. Use the list below to help you with common items. If you don't see your item or a similar one, call Ankeny Sanitation (ASI) to verify at 515.964.5229.

$1 Sticker

  • Bag of trash under 30 lbs.
  • Box of trash under 30 lbs.
  • Kid's toys (under 30 lbs., e.g. big wheel)
  • TV or computer monitor (19-inch screen and smaller)*

$5 Sticker

  • 5 boxes or bags of trash (under 30 lbs. per piece)
  • 5 carpet rolls (4-foot length x 18-inch diameter)
  • Bicycle
  • Couch or love seat
  • Crib
  • Desk
  • Door (per door)
  • Entertainment center
  • Grill (no propane)
  • Kid's toys (over 30 lbs., e.g. big wheel)
  • Kitchen chairs (4 maximum)
  • Kitchen sink
  • Push mower (drained of gas and oil)
  • Sectional (one $5 sticker per piece)
  • Single/double box spring
  • Single/double mattress
  • Snowblower (drained of gas and oil)
  • Table
  • Toilet (one $5 sticker per piece)
  • Window (one)

$10 (2 - $5 stickers)

  • Queen/king mattress
  • Queen/king box spring

$35 (7 - $5 stickers)

  • Appliances (Fridges or freezers of any size ((doors must be removed)), washers, dryers, microwaves, etc.)
  • Schedule Pick Up for Appliances - Since different trucks collect and recycle appliances, residents must schedule an appliance to pick up with ASI at 515-964-5229.

*TV - call ASI at 515-964-5229. The size and weight of televisions vary greatly. ASI will tell you specifically how many stickers are required.

If you don't want to purchase stickers, and would rather self-haul, most of these items can either be taken to Metro Park East Landfill or the 2nd Saturday residential trash drop-off at Metro Northwest Transfer Station (keep in mind this excludes appliances).

Who Do I Call?

  • For a missed trash collection? Call ASI, your garbage hauler at 515.964.5229
  • For trash cart repair/replacement? Call ASI, your garbage hauler at 515.964.5229
  • To start/stop trash service? Call Des Moines Water Works at 515.283.8700. Garbage service begins when water service is requested. If it’s a new home, a cart will be delivered shortly after. Garbage service ends when water is canceled. When you move, leave your cart with the house.
  • To request an extra cart (for a fee)? Call ASI, your garbage hauler at 515.964.5229


Recycling

The containers are picked up every other week on your normal garbage collection day.

To request a different container size or for more information, contact Waste Management at 515-24-GREEN (515-244-7336).

Acceptable Materials

Review a list of acceptable and unacceptable items to recycle.

Collection Schedules

Windsor Heights collection is the black lid schedule. View the 2021 schedule.

Missed Collections

Missed collections should be reported to Waste Management at 515-24-GREEN (515-244-7336). Windsor Heights Public Works Department can not collect missed Curb It! recycling.

Recycling Drop-Off Events at the Metro Northwest Transfer Station

Recycling Drop-Off Events will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon, the second Saturday of the month from March to December at the New Metro Northwest Transfer Station, located at 4105 Beisser Drive in Grimes. Cardboard, paper, plastic. Please call first to see if it is open due to COVID-19 (515-244-7336).

Who Do I Call?

  • For a missed recycling collection? Call Waste Management your recycling hauler at 515.244.7336
  • For recycling cart repairs/replacement? Call Waste Management, your recycling hauler at 515.244.7336
  • To start/stop recycling service? Call Des Moines Water Works at 515.283.8700. Recycling service begins when water service is requested. If it’s a new home, choose a 96- or 48-gallon cart at this time. The cart will be delivered shortly after. Recycling service ends when water is canceled. When you move, leave your cart with the house.
  • To request a different size recycling cart (96 and 48-gallon carts available)? Call Waste Management, your recycling hauler at 515.244.7336

Holidays

If the following holidays fall during the week, collection will be delayed one day for both trash and recycling.

  • Christmas
  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Labor Day
  • July 4th