City staff said they will prepare a curbside recycling request for proposals (RFP) that would offer a standard curbside option (every-other-week service in a 96-gallon cart) and alternative drop-off solutions for communities where curbside is not practical. "We're going to get pricing for both," Brian Phillips said, describing plans to request pricing for Ames and, optionally, for each partner community so municipalities can choose to join the contract or pursue different arrangements.

Phillips said the city council authorized preparing the RFP and staff expect to have proposals back in January so communities can review pricing; participating communities would not be obligated to join. "You don't have to decide that as soon as we get the pricing back," Phillips said, explaining the contract would likely be five years with annual fuel adjustments.

On what counts as recyclable, Phillips listed mixed paper, cardboard, metal, container glass and #1 and #2 plastics (no plastic bags). Curbside collections would be commingled into one container, consolidated at the R3C and shipped to a material recovery facility (staff referenced "Chopin Recycling" or Metro Waste Authority) for sorting. The city will accept separated drop-off materials free because they typically bring a higher market price; large commingled truckloads may incur fees.

Residents at the briefing asked who would collect fees if a partner municipality opts into Ames' curbside contract, how accountability for diversion would be tracked and whether smaller or unincorporated areas could be accommodated with localized drop-off or tag-on options. Phillips said jurisdictions must still demonstrate diversion activities annually to the Iowa DNR and that the DNR's per-ton fee varies with diversion performance, creating a financial incentive to show progress.

Several attendees said a 20-year disposal commitment is short and urged a countywide task force to plan long-term landfill capacity. Staff invited follow-up meetings and offered contact with Nolan Sagan (the city sustainability coordinator) or public works staff for communities to brainstorm local options and nonprofit or grant opportunities.