Public Works

Resource Recovery

How to handle materials not accepted at the Household Hazardous Materials Site

WHAT: HHM Satellite Site
WHERE: Resource Recovery Plant
WHEN: Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., by appointment only
CALL: 515-239-5137or toll free at 877-639-5661; Citizens must have list of materials & quantities ready

Why do we need a HHM Satellite Site?

Many home and garden products contain potentially dangerous chemicals that are poisonous to people, fish, wildlife and plants. Some of these products may be immediately fatal. Others may build up in body tissue or the environment, causing future health problems.

Improper disposal of toxic chemicals threatens our ground water, the major source of our drinking water. The cost of sewage treatment can increase dramatically if toxic chemicals are in high concentrations in the waste stream. It is also a potential danger to our staff when they are working with the waste. You can make a difference. Do your part, it's simple and easy!

The Resource Recovery Plant is working in conjunction with the Regional Collection Center to help reduce the amount of household hazardous materials disposed of improperly. They are now accepting waste from citizens. All drop-offs are by appointment only.

What you can do

The Swap Shop and the Regional Collection Center

The following is a list of items the Resource Recovery Plant CAN ACCEPT through the Household Hazardous Material Program:

Garage & Workshop - Acids/bases, acetone, aerosol cans, auto polish, auto starter fluid, varnish, brake fluid, car wax, carburetor cleaner, caulk (labeled flammable), contact cement, driveway sealer, epoxy, gasoline and kerosene, glues, lighter fluid, paint (oil and lead based), paint remover, paint thinner, petroleum based adhesives, roofing tar, shellac, stain, windshield washer solution
Home & Garden - Aerosol cans, rechargeable batteries, rust removers, button batteries, fungicide, furniture polish, insect spray, solvent based metal polish, wallpaper remover, concrete cleaners and etchers, mothballs, pesticides, pool chemicals, rat/mouse and gopher poison, brush killer, spot remover, weed killer, fertilizers
Kitchen & Bathroom - Solvent based cleaners, drain cleaners, ammonia based cleaners, floor care products, oven cleaner, polish remover
Miscellaneous - Sharps and fluorescent bulbs

UNACCEPTABLE materials include:

Latex paint (if you dry it out in the can, it becomes regular garbage)
used motor oil/oil filters (we accept this during normal operations on the tipping floor)
antifreeze (Jiffy Lube on South Duff accepts this for a fee)
lead acid batteries (we accept these at no charge on the tipping floor)
ammunition/explosives (please take these to your local police department)
asbestos (can be taken to the Ames-Story Environmental Landfill)
radioactive materials
fire extinguishers (we will accept these during normal operations on the tipping floor)
non-hazardous waste (we will accept this during normal operations on the tipping floor)

Any questions regarding whether your hazardous material will be accepted may be directed to the Resource Recovery Plant at 515-239-5137 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Businesses and farms may call the Regional Collection Center, 1-888-603-CREW or click here to go to the RCC Web site, or the Resource Recovery Plant for more information on proper hazardous material disposal.

What you can do:

Recycle.
Reduction at the source. Choose safer alternatives whenever possible.
Don't buy more chemicals than you will use in one season.
Read labels and follow instructions for use and disposal.
Store paint properly. Keep in a dry area and place lid on tightly to keep air out. Properly handled, oil-base paint has a shelf life of almost 15 years.
Share useable leftovers with others.
Buy the largest size of cleaning products you can realistically use up. Concentrated products and refillable containers create the least waste.
Buy only enough pesticide to carry you through the season.
Safely store unused products in original containers and away from pets and children.
Properly dispose of hazardous materials.

The Swap Shop

The Regional Collection Center provides a facility in which residents and businesses can pick up household materials absolutely free of charge.
The Swap Shop contains useable household cleaners, paints, etc. brought in by the public for others to use.
You do not need to bring in an item in order to pick up an item; however, you should only take what you need and know you will use.
RCC staff does reserve their right to limit quantities.

Directions to the RCC: From Des Moines go east on I-80. Take exit 142B (Marshalltown) which leads to 65N. Go north one mile to 225 Prairie Drive, just south of Bondurant.

For more information, contact the RCC staff at 1-888-603-CREW.