Author: Winneshiek Waste

Keep Scrap Metal Out of Paper Bins

RECYCLING REMINDER: KEEP SCRAP METAL OUT OF PAPER BINS!

Our paper mill recently found scrap metal in one of our paper loads and had to remove and handle it. Please see the attached photo for an example of what was found.

Scrap metal does NOT belong in our regular recycling bins. All scrap metal must be brought to the designated scrap metal bins at the Winneshiek County Recycling Center or given to a staff member during business hours.

Please also remember to keep paper separate from plastics and metals!

Our combination recycling bins have two separate compartments with a divider between them:

PAPER SIDE: Paper only.
PLASTICS & METALS SIDE: Metal cans and #1, #2, and #5 plastics.

These materials must stay separated to ensure they can be properly recycled. Putting the wrong materials in either compartment can create problems for the recycling process and the facilities that handle our materials.

Thank you for helping us keep our recycling clean, protect our recycling partners, and make sure our materials can be properly recycled!

Picture of various types of scrap metal.

Ask Mr. Recycling – Paper Recycling

In our last episode of “Ask Mr. Recycling”, we discussed paper recycling. Thanks to L A Communications for all your work with this program! In this segment, we mentioned that we would provide a description of how your paper is recycled after it is baled at our recycling center and shipped out:

OFFICE PAPER

-Sorted office paper is sent to a mill where it is mixed with water and broken down into pulp. The pulp is cleaned, and a special process removes printing ink from the paper fibers. The cleaned fibers are then made into new paper products, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and facial tissue.

MIXED PAPER

-Old newspapers take a different path. After being sorted and cleaned, the paper is shredded into small fibers and treated with fire-retardant and pest-resistant additives. The result is cellulose insulation, which can be used in attics, walls, and other parts of buildings.

Thank you for helping keep recyclable materials in circulation and giving them another useful purpose!

Electronic Waste and Scrap Metal Collection Day Recap

Thank you to everyone that showed up to recycle your electronics, appliances, and scrap metal this past Saturday! We had a great turn out! Here are some totals for the number of appliances and electronics dropped off:

Televisions: 52

Monitors: 14

Refrigerators/Freezers: 18

Microwaves: 7

Dehumidifiers: 6

Washers/Dryers: 4

Air Conditioners: 4

Dishwashers: 3

Stoves/Ovens: 3

Water Heaters:1

In addition, we also received a lot of scrap metal! Thanks for doing your part and keeping these valuable materials out of our landfill!7 people standing in front of the Winneshiek County Recycling Center

Electronic & Scrap Metal Recycling Day

Winneshiek County Recycling is hosting an electronic and scrap metal recycling event on September 26th from 8:00 to 11:00 AM at the Winneshiek County Recycling Center. The address of the facility is:

2510 172nd Ave

Decorah, IA 52101

 

ITEMS ACCEPTED INCLUDE:

 

Televisions, computer monitors, computer towers, appliances, printers, cords and cables, and other electronic or metal items. We can accept most things with a cord. Some items such as appliances, televisions, and monitors require a recycling fee.

 

These materials can also be brought to the Recycling Center during regular business hours (6:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday), but the September 26th event provides a convenient option for those who cannot make it during the week.

 

Payment is currently accepted by cash or check only. Checks should be made payable to Winneshiek County Recycling.

 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RECYCLE SCRAP METAL?

 

Recycling scrap metal is good for both the environment and our local community. Metals such as steel and aluminum can be recycled and used to make new products, reducing the need to extract and process new raw materials. Recycling metal also saves energy and keeps valuable materials out of the landfill.

 

There is also a financial benefit to recycling metal locally. Winneshiek County Recycling receives revenue from the sale of recyclable metals, and that revenue goes back into the County’s General Fund. Landfilling these items also has a cost, so by recycling them, you are not paying a tipping fee and taking up air space in the Landfill.

 

For more information about accepted items and fees, visit winneshiekwaste.com or contact Winneshiek County Recycling. We’re happy to help!

 

Thanks for helping us keep valuable materials out of the landfill! We hope to see you on September 26th!

 

This picture contains a list of items that we charge for when they are dropped off at Winneshiek County Recycling.

 

A QUICK REMINDER ABOUT PLASTIC RECYCLING!

Winneshiek County Recycling is now accepting #5 plastics (polypropylene) in addition to the #1 and #2 plastics we have accepted in the past.

In summary, this means we are currently taking HARD plastics stamped with a #1, #2, or #5. We DO NOT accept any soft plastics (plastic bags) at this time. Please reuse plastic bags or put them in your garbage. Some grocery stores might be able to accept plastic bags.

We also have an update about plastic bottle caps:

CAPS CAN NOW BE LEFT ON PLASTIC BOTTLES!

Here’s how to prepare your containers:

– NO Iowa 5 cent deposit? Remove the cap, flatten the bottle, and then put the cap back on. Flattening the bottle helps remove air and allows for better compaction when we bale the plastic.

– Iowa 5 cent deposit? DO NOT SMASH OR FLATTEN THE CONTAINER. Leave the cap on and keep the container intact so it can be handled as a deposit container.

–CAN’T RECYCLE THE BOTTLE? If you’re somewhere that only has trash cans available, such as an event or venue, please remove the cap before throwing the bottle away. Bottles with caps on can trap air and eventually work their way to the surface of a landfill. When this happens, landfill staff have to bury them again.

–MOST IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE ALL CONTAINERS ARE EMPTY! Please empty bottles and containers completely before placing them in your recycling bin.

Thank you, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!

NEW PLASTIC RECYCLING UPDATE!

We are excited to announce that our facility is now officially accepting hard plastics stamped with a #5!

This is in addition to the hard plastics we already accept with a #1 and #2 stamp.

WHAT ARE #5 PLASTICS?
#5 plastics are made from polypropylene (PP). Some common examples include:

-Yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese containers
-Reusable food storage containers
-Margarine and butter tubs
-Some takeout/food containers
-Some plastic cups
-Some small plastic tubs and containers

REMEMBER: LOOK FOR THE #5 RECYCLING SYMBOL ON THE ITEM TO MAKE SURE IT QUALIFIES.

Please make sure plastics are empty and clean before putting them in the bins.

Have questions about whether an item is recyclable? Please reach out to us. We’re happy to help!

Thanks for helping us keep valuable materials out of the landfill!

Decorah Recycling Collection Site Notice for Saturday, July 25

If possible, please avoid using the Decorah recycling containers on Goose Island Drive between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th, as the Nordic Fest Elvelopet Race finish line will be located in that area.
To help reduce traffic and keep participants safe, we encourage you to recycle before or after those hours, or use one of our other recycling locations if needed.
Thank you for your patience and for helping make the event a success! If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

Help Prevent Fires: Keep Rechargeable Batteries Out of Trash and Recycling Bins

Rechargeable batteries are becoming more common in everyday items such as phones, power tools, laptops, toys, and e-bikes. While convenient, these batteries can become extremely dangerous if they are thrown into trash or recycling containers.

When rechargeable batteries are crushed or damaged during collection or processing, they can ignite and cause serious fires, putting employees, equipment, and facilities at risk.

To help keep our community and staff safe, please do not place rechargeable batteries in your trash or recycling containers. Instead, bring them directly to the Winneshiek County Recycling Center and hand them to a member of our recycling team. This ensures they are handled safely and recycled properly.

Rechargeable batteries are accepted at the Winneshiek County Recycling Center Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Thank you for helping protect our employees, our equipment, and our community by recycling rechargeable batteries the safe way.

1 2 3 … 7