The City of Dubuque Solid Waste Department is operated by the Public Works Department in Dubuque, Iowa. Its refuse collection activitiy includes collection and disposal of solid waste from households, apartments and small businesses. It also assists in the protection through improved management of the solid waste stream. Its yard waste collection activity covers reuse of yard waste materials and also collects Christmas trees for shredding into compostable material, operates a fee-based leaf rake-out collection program, and educates the community regarding backyard composting and mulch mowing. Its household hazardous materials regional collection center receives, handles, processes, packs and ships household hazardous materials for disposal.