Stash the Trash Set for April 26 - 27

Published on April 07, 2025

AMES, Iowa – The annual Stash the Trash, a volunteer community clean-up of litter, will be held Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27. During this event, community members pick-up trash in their neighborhoods, parks, green space, or common areas.

Clean-up supplies are available at the Resource Recovery Plant, 110 Center Ave. The supplies include garbage bags and latex gloves. Individuals, families, and groups can choose a time to pick-up trash. A large trash receptacle roll-off will be available at Resource Recovery from Saturday, April 26, through Sunday, April 27, to drop off garbage collected during the community clean-up.

The Resource Recovery Plant will be processing the garbage from this event. The RRP accepts and sorts trash from Ames and the surrounding communities in Story County. Metals are extracted and sold for recycling. The remainder is shredded by machines, and the burnable portion becomes Refused Derived Fuel (RDF). RDF is piped to the City's power plant and used with natural gas to generate electricity.

For large collections of garbage, Iowa Home Consulting has volunteered to provide pick-up service. Volunteers can make arrangements in advance by calling 515.450.2946.

Even more recycling opportunities are available at the Resource Recovery’s self-serve recycling center. Multiple recycling bins are located at the north side of the facility,

420 E. Second St., to accept glass, screw-top plastics, metals, mixed paper, cardboard, and food waste. Separating out and dropping off these products gives them a second life and keeps them out of the waste stream.

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