Recycling Cart Delivery Begins Monday
Published on May 29, 2026
AMES, Iowa – Delivery of the 96-gallon wheeled blue carts for the new residential curbside recycling program will begin Monday, June 1. Every-other-week curbside recycling service starts the week of July 1. The monthly recycling fee of $7.75 will appear on City utility bills.
Aspen Waste, the City's recycling collection contractor, expects to complete cart distribution by Friday, June 12. Delivery will begin in neighborhoods assigned to Monday collection routes and continue sequentially through the City's collection zones based on collection day.
The new curbside recycling program will serve single-family homes and multi-family properties with up to four units. The service is designed to divert recyclable materials from the waste stream, conserve landfill space, and reduce the number of trips required to transport garbage out of Ames.
"Curbside recycling makes recycling easier and more convenient for residents while helping the community reduce waste and recover valuable materials," said Mark Peebler, Superintendent of the Ames Resource Recovery Plant. "When residents place the right items in their recycling carts, they are helping create a cleaner, more sustainable Ames for future generations."
Residents should place all accepted recyclable materials directly into the blue cart, including glass containers, mixed paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic containers with screw-top lids. Materials should be loose. To ensure materials can be successfully recycled, residents are encouraged to follow the recycling guidelines and avoid placing non-recyclable items in their carts. Information about accepted materials is stamped directly on the cart lid for easy reference.
Properties with more than four residential units are not included in this initial phase of the program. Owners of larger multi-family properties are encouraged to work with private haulers to provide recycling opportunities for their residents.
The City continues to provide public outreach in advance of the program launch, including automated phone messages, social media updates, an informational display at the Ames Public Library, community engagement events, and direct mailings to residents. Next week, there will be information available at from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 at the Sixty Forward Center and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 at Hy-Vee Lincoln Center.
Residents with questions are encouraged to visit the City's curbside recycling webpage at www.CityOfAmes.org/recycling. The webpage includes program details, collection information, frequently asked questions, and an online feedback form for submitting questions or concerns. An interactive map showing the collection day for each address is also available.
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