| Recycling right can help you make a positive impact on your community. This effort reduces landfill emissions, protects local jobs and ensures the environment is healthy and clean for future generations. |
To help the Ottumwa/Wapello County Recycling Center Recycle Right and make a difference, follow these five tips for recycling:
- Don’t mix paper products in bags with plastic, tin, glass, and aluminum: These products go to separate areas to be sorted. Bagging them altogether makes more work and bags can become tangled in equipment.
- Plastic bags don’t go in the recycling bin.
- Don’t put tanglers in recycling bins: Hoses, wires and cords are all considered tanglers, which can jam recycling sorting equipment and may lead to costly repairs and downtime at the facility.
- Know what plastics are recyclable: All plastic bottles and jars can be recycled. Leaving lids and labels on these items is okay, but containers do need to be emptied (and given a quick rinse if necessary) before placed in your recycling.
- Flatten cardboard: Many types of cardboard items are recyclable, including corrugated cardboard, mail-order boxes, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, and other items. For curbside pickup, cardboard boxes should be emptied, flattened and placed in the bin, and it is okay to leave labels and tape on.
Every time you recycle correctly you’re making an impact.You’re helping hundreds of businesses who depend on recycling, supporting thousands of jobs that those businesses create, keeping these valuable materials circulating throughout our economy. Proper recycling takes only a few minutes, but the impact lasts for years.
| If you come across questions about what is or is not recyclable, our website, ottumwarecycles.com has a “How do I dispose of it” tool. You can always call the Recycling Center at 641-683-0685 if you have questions. Our hours are Monday – Friday 7am – 4 pm, and Saturday 7 am – Noon.
Together, we can make a difference. |
