New Recycling Program Begins Dec. 4 In Iowa City

IOWA CITY, IA — The days of sorting recyclable materials end next week for Iowa City residents when the city switches to single-stream recycling. The program kicks off Dec. 4.

All the same materials will be allowed under the new program — meaning still no glass or plastic bags. But city officials say the change should increase participation — and the amount of recycled materials coming from Iowa City — because it will be simpler for residents.

"Communities that have switched over have seen increased rates of participation, so it's a program that's much easier to participate in than the current sorting system that we have," said Jane Wilch, the city's recycling coordinator.

A new fleet of trucks will pick up the recyclables that residents place curbside in blue bins. Since sorting is no longer going to be required, the pickup time will be shorter, saving fuel. In addition, materials can be compressed in the new trucks to create larger loads and fewer trips.

Trucks will transport the items to Republic Services in Cedar Rapids, where the process will involve employees and machines sorting in several steps. Separated items will be bailed and taken to processing centers where they will be turned into reusable material.

Republic Services said 80 percent of its municipal customers use single-stream recycling programs similar to what Iowa City will be using.

Why no plastic bags or glass?

Patrick Doonan, operations manager at Republic Services, said plastic bags can wrap around the sorting equipment and get caught in bearings in machines, which could cause fires or other problems with machinery. Glass breaks easily and could contaminate other materials at the facility, in addition to posing a hazard to employees.

Instead, residents can drop off glass and plastic bags for recycling at one of four locations in Iowa City:

• East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. S.E.
• Republic Services, 3 E. Benton St.
• former Hy-Vee site, 1201 N. Dodge St.
• Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, 3900 Hebl Ave. S.W.

A video about the change to single-stream recycling is available on the city's website. For more information about the program, go to icgov.org.

Photo: Jon Moore, Unsplash