Recycling
Recycling plays an important role in keeping our community environmentally safe and controlling waste at the South Central Iowa Landfill. A total of 64% of Indianola residents participate in the citywide recycling program, which costs only $4.75 per month per household. The fee is charged to each residence whether the service is utilized or not. Residents are provided with a cart to hold their recyclable items.
In 1995, the year statistical reporting began, the average household recycled 6.6 pounds per week. In 2003, that figure has increased to nearly 10 pounds per week. In 2010, McCoy Sanitation of Indianola reported over 2 million pounds, or an average of nearly 9.5 pounds per household per week, were saved from going to the landfill.
In 1995, the year statistical reporting began, the average household recycled 6.6 pounds per week. In 2003, that figure has increased to nearly 10 pounds per week. In 2010, McCoy Sanitation of Indianola reported over 2 million pounds, or an average of nearly 9.5 pounds per household per week, were saved from going to the landfill.
Recyclable Items
The following items are acceptable for recycling:
- Cardboard - Must be broken down and cut to fit into cart
- Empty aerosol cans
- Glass jars and bottles of all colors
- Mixed paper - Junk mail, envelopes, sticky notes, coloring books, phone books, cereal boxes, tissue boxes, magazines, etc.
- Necked plastic bottles - Do not go by the numbers on the bottom of the containers
- Newspapers (also including inserts).
- Plastic margarine and yogurt containers.
- Shredded paper can be recycled in your bin but it needs to be contained in a paper product such as a cereal or cardboard box, or a paper sack.
- Tin and aluminum cans
Not Acceptable Items
The following items are banned from your recycling cart:
- Containers with motor oil or other hazardous materials
- Foil and disposable baking tins
- Food contaminated items
- Garbage or yard debris
- Plastic bags
- Plastic cups
- Plastic food containers
- Polystyrene foam
- Wire hangers
Recyclables Pickup
All recyclables may be placed in your cart to be picked up every other week depending on your place of residence. All items must be at the curb by 7 a.m. For a map of areas and pickup days, please view the Recycling Route Map (PDF) and the Calendar for Pickup (PDF).
For more information, call City Hall at 515-961-9410 or Waste Management at 515-265-5267