Ames staff outline plan for citywide curbside recycling; council asks for public outreach

City of Ames staff presented options for a citywide curbside recycling program on Aug. 12, saying the effort is needed as the city transitions from its current waste-to-energy process to the new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus and to meet Iowa DNR diversion-based fee incentives. Staff described alternative service models, container ownership options, contractor structures, timeline and costs, and urged the council to provide direction after public outreach. The council voted to ask staff to develop a communications plan and create opportunities for public input before the council considers a decision.

City staff told the council the proposal responds to the resource recovery plant closure and the opening of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C). "As we move away from waste to energy, we will have to find different ways" to divert material, the presentation said, adding that recycling will help lower DNR fees tied to landfill diversion. Staff described survey results showing resident support: more than 80% of respondents in a 2023 satisfaction survey supported recycling in some form and 70% in 2024 said reducing waste emissions is a high climate priority.

Staff outlined four basic access models: (a) universal cart for every household with a utility fee; (b) everyone charged but carts issued only to households that opt in; (c) opt-in where only participating households are charged; and (d) the current drop-off model only. Staff…