Sanitation & Recycling

Disposing of appliances at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) for $30 each; however, we would recommend calling them prior to making a trip there to make sure the following information is up-to-date/accurate. Their number is 515-239-5137, and their hours are Monday - Friday, 7am-3:30 pm, and Saturdays are 8am-noon.

• Appliances include but are not limited to: dishwashers, stoves, washers, dryers, furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, water heaters, freezers, microwaves, and dehumidifiers.
• Items that can be disposed of in your garbage:  blender, toaster, toaster oven, waffle iron, electric skillet, air fryer, food processor, bread maker, vacuum cleaner, coffee maker, instant pot, rice cooker, slow cooker, stand mixer, juicer, ice cream maker, yogurt maker, coffee grinder, popcorn machine, panini maker, deep fryer, garbage disposal, water purifier, sewing machine, iron, air purifier, space heater, ceiling fan, and smoker.

Other businesses that may accept appliances for a fee are:

-Bell Salvage, 500 Freel Drive in Ames, 515-232-9372

-Mike Louis Salvage, 1901 East Lincoln Way in Ames, 515-232-3330 and 515-231-3319

 

Batteries:

Alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries (non-rechargeable batteries used in toys, radios, flashlights, and other household products) can still safely be placed in the trash.

Mercuric-oxide batteries (non-rechargeable batteries used in hearing aids) can be turned in to the manufacturer or retailer, or dropped off at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) at no charge.

Lithium-ion batteries should be dropped off at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) at no charge. Lithium-ion batteries are incredibly popular these days. You can find them in laptops, cell phones and iPods. They're so common because, pound for pound, they're some of the most energetic rechargeable batteries available.

*Lithium-ion batteries have also been in the news lately. That’s because these batteries have the ability to burst into flames occasionally. It's not very common -- just two or three battery packs per million have a problem -- but when it happens, it's extreme. If you dispose of them in your garbage, it will likely start a fire once it breaks open in a garbage shredder.

Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries (rechargeable batteries used in kitchen appliances, rechargeable power tools and other household products) can be turned in to the manufacturer or retailer, or drop it off at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) at no charge.

Small lead-acid batteries (rechargeable batteries used in camcorders, laptop computers, cell phones, and other household products) can be turned in to the manufacturer or retailer, or drop it off at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) at no charge.

Lead-acid batteries (from your car, boat, motorcycle, etc.) can be dropped off at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) at no charge.

Any other batteries -- drop off at the Resource Recovery Plant (410 E 2nd St in Ames) at no charge.