Expanded recycling center opens at Muscatine Transfer Station

The Recycling Program at the Muscatine Transfer Station will begin to accept cardboard and co-mingled items, but not plastic bags, starting Dec. 14. [@CityOfMuscatine]

The Recycling Program at the Muscatine Transfer Station will begin to accept cardboard and co-mingled items, but not plastic bags, starting Tuesday (Dec. 14) according to Dave Popp, Solid Waste Manager for the City of Muscatine.

“As part of our Curbside Recycling Program, Muscatine and Fruitland residents who pay for City refuse service may now bring their co-mingled and cardboard recycling items to a drop off area at the Transfer Station,” Popp said.

Paper and cardboard should be flattened and co-mingled recycling should be rinsed and contain no food or liquids. Co-mingled items include glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and jugs, and aluminum and steels cans.

Styrofoam, plastic bags, food waste, batteries and electronics, and bagged recyclables are not acceptable. A drop off area for food waste is located at the orange bin located before entering the Recycling Center.

Signage is available to help individuals determine what can and what cannot be dropped off in the Recycling Drop Off Center and what can and what cannot be dropped off in the Muscatine Organic Recycling Center (MORC) food waste bin.

“Individuals with plastic bags to recycle need to contact one of the local grocery stores who have a program to recycle the plastic bags,” Popp said. “Plastic bags are not accepted in our recycling program because they can potentially damage the machines that separate the recycled material.”

Individuals who want to drop off recyclables inside Recycling Drop Off Center will need to park in the area reserved for customer parking next to the Recycling Center, and check in at the Transfer Station office to complete the Recycling Drop Off Center form. The form asks for the customers address and items being dropped off.

“Users of the Recycling Drop Off Center will be able to ask questions about what is recyclable in the City’s program and how the items should be brought to the facility,” Popp said.

The Recycling Drop Off Center will be open during the Transfer Station operating hours (Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.). Users should plan on carrying their items from their vehicles to the appropriate bin for deposit (enter through door only). The Recycling Drop Off Center is fenced off from the MORC area, and security cameras are in use.

The drop off area is funded as part of the monthly trash and recycling fee that residents pay each month as part of their Muscatine Power and Water (MPW) bill.

“The success of this service will depend on users not abusing the site by throwing away items that should be going into the trash,” Popp said.

At this time the service is only available to those who have refuse collection service with the City of Muscatine. The program will be reviewed and evaluated next year to determine its success and potential for expansion.

For more information, call the Transfer Station at 563-263-9689 or visit the SOLID WASTE Division page on the City of Muscatine website or visit RECYCLING IN MUSCATINE.

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