Junk removal costs in Des Moines

SCRUB stands for Spring Cleanup to Reduce Urban Blight, and in Des Moines it runs well past spring. The city holds SCRUB drop-offs on the third Saturday of each month, March through November, for Des Moines residents only. Bring a photo ID or a current utility bill. Furniture, TVs, computers, tires and appliances from fridges to water heaters go to the Metro Central Transfer Station on Delaware Avenue, or to a MEGA SCRUB hosted by one of the neighborhoods. Household hazardous waste is taken only at the MEGA events, and that line fills up fast.

Can't wait for a Saturday? Big items can go out at the curb. Anything too large for your cart, like a couch, dresser, mattress or box spring, needs a pink Large Item sticker. City Hall and local grocery stores sell them. Call the city's 24/7 line at least 24 hours before your next collection day, and have everything out by 7 a.m. with the stickers facing the street. An appliance takes seven stickers and goes out the following Monday. Old carpet has its own rule: roll it, tie it, keep each roll to 4 feet long, and five tied rolls share one sticker.

Hauling a load to a SCRUB yourself? Check the trailer first. The city allows cars, pickups and single-axle trailers up to 12 feet long and 6.6 feet wide, with sides no taller than 4 feet. Dump-box trailers of any size aren't allowed, and you unload your own vehicle, so plan on about 15 minutes.