Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C)
The City of Ames is entering a new era of waste management with the development of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C). While we are proud of our history with Waste to Energy technology, this method is being phased out due to high operating costs, aging equipment, and regulatory challenges. This transition reflects our growing commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and modern resource management.
Operations and Processing
The new R3C will be a central hub for handling the city's waste streams: solid waste, recyclables, and yard waste.
- Solid Waste: This material will be consolidated at the R3C and then transported to a landfill.
- Recyclables: These items will be forwarded from the campus to specialized processors.
- Yard Waste: This will be managed through on-site composting or hauled off-site for processing.
Project Status and Timeline
The City has successfully secured a 9.5-acre site along Freel Drive for the R3C, with geotechnical and environmental studies confirming its suitability.
A conceptual design and financial model have been completed. We are targeting an opening date of July 2027.
Focus on Diversion and Sustainability
The R3C emphasizes the core principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover, prioritizing landfill diversion through advanced recycling and material recovery.
A key component of this new approach is the adoption of waste diversion measures to help reduce per-ton disposal fees. Curbside recycling is anticipated to be a major factor in achieving these goals, as outlined in a conceptual report presented to City Council on August 12, 2025.
Looking ahead, our focus is on maximizing material recovery and sustainability by processing more items for reuse or recycling before disposal. We will continue to recover metals and reduce waste volumes to improve efficiency in landfill transport.