Author: Winneshiek Waste

Tips for Helping Our Recycling Center

We have been noticing an increase in scrap metal being placed in the recycling bins throughout the county, especially the Locust site. The only types of metals that should go in these bins are metal cans, aluminum foil, etc. Please ensure scrap metal is taken to the drop off shed at the recycling center and placed in the bins that say “Scrap Metal”. This is for the safety of our staff, and it helps prevent our equipment from being damaged. The metal item shown in the picture is a perfect example of something that should have gone in the scrap metal bin.

The items shown in the other picture were recently collected at the 48-hour lot next to Decorah City Hall. They were placed next to the bins. We have been seeing more of this too. Items cannot be left next to recycling containers. This is considered littering. Please only place recyclable materials in the bins and ensure they go in the correct bin. If you are questioning whether something is recyclable in our county, please call us or email us or message us on Facebook.

Thanks for your help in supporting our recycling center and keeping our community clean! Have a fantastic weekend!

Piece of scrap metal in "Plastics and Metals" bin.
Trash left by one of the recycling bins at the Decorah 48-Hour lot next to City Hall.

Donate Used Goods and Buy Used Items

Happy Friday! We have another waste reduction tip for you!

Before you decide to buy something new, consider buying it used. This can save you money and support local charities that prevent these items from going in the trash. This can mean buying things like secondhand clothes, used furniture and repurposed construction materials or searching the web for deals on other items. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure! 🙂

Enjoy your weekend!

Landfill and Recycling Center Tours and National Clean Up Day!

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of hosting the incredible 5th graders from St. Benedict Catholic School for tours of both the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill and the recycling center! We were so impressed by their enthusiasm and throughtful questions about waste management and sustainability. Thank you again for visiting, and we hope to see you all again soon!

Speaking of waste management, did you know that tomorrow is National Clean Up Day? If you’re out for a walk on a trail or spending time in a park this weekend, please consider bringing gloves and a trash bag and help keep our planet clean. Every little bit counts!

Have a great weekend!

Collecting Small Recyclables at the Recycling Center

Did you know that small items like tiny pieces of aluminum foil or metal bottle caps are sometimes difficult to recycle? These small materials can fall through the cracks on our conveyor belt or fall out of bales when materials are compacted. To ensure your smaller recyclable items make it through the process, place them inside a larger recyclable container of the same material.

For example, if you have aluminum bottle caps, try wrapping them inside a larger sheet of aluminum foil to hold them all together or place them inside an aluminum container and seal it. You can also put smaller metal items in the scrap metal bin at the drop off shed.

Thank you for helping us make recycling more efficient!

United States and Iowa Flags

We recently found an American flag in our paper recycling bin from one of the collection sites. Please remember that U.S. and Iowa flags should not be placed in recycling bins. Instead, they should be respectfully retired.

For your convenience, a drop box for proper flag disposal is located in the basement of the Winneshiek County Courthouse.

Thank you for helping us handle these important symbols with the care they deserve. 🇺🇸

Purchasing Products and Recycling

Good Afternoon all,

As we mentioned previously, purchasing a reusable water bottle is a great way to cut back on plastic waste. We can also cut back on waste production by purchasing products that come with less packaging and/or come in packaging that can be recycled. If you have a choice between purchasing an item that contains a #1 hard plastic or an item that is made up of a #6 hard plastic, please choose the #1 plastic, as we can accept this material at our recycling facility. The #6 plastic would have to be placed in the garbage. Learn more by exploring our website.

Purchase a Reusable Water Bottle

One of the best ways you can reduce plastic waste is by purchasing a reusable water bottle or reusable cup. This is also a great way to save money! By taking your own water bottle with you, you’ll reduce your chances of buying more expensive beverages on the go, and this will limit the amount of single use plastics consumed. If you need to purchase a bottle of water, please ensure it is empty before you recycle it in Winneshiek County. Have a great day!

Reusable water bottle (Owala brand)

Sorting at Recycling Collection Sites

This cardboard was found in one of the “Plastics and Metals” bins today located at the 48-Hour Lot next to Decorah City Hall. Although we appreciate that recyclable materials are being placed in the bins, it’s important that they are placed in the correct containers. When sorting cardboard at all collection sites, if you come across a full bin, please look around for other cardboard containers that still have space. Please also ensure that all boxes are broken down before you toss them in the bins. This will prevent the roll off containers from filling up too quickly. Thank you!

Scrap Metal Issues

Attention Winneshiek County residents:


We have been noticing more scrap metal pieces in our roll off containers, expecially at our Locust site. Scrap metal pieces must be dropped off in our scrap metal bins in the drop off shed at the recycling center.
When larger scrap pieces are placed in our roll off bins, they end up mixed in with our smaller items that go on the sorting line. The larger items damage our belts as they are pushed to the line. This is why it is essential to keep them separated.


In the pictures below, you can see that there is part of a washer that has been disassembled. We take washers for free during business hours at the recycling center. These should not be placed in the roll off bins. We also found a humidifer in this pile. Humidifers can also be dropped off at the recycling center for free during business hours. Please ensure you speak with a staff member when you bring electronics or appliances. There is a $20 fee for appliances containing refrigerant and televisions and computer monitors.


Thanks for helping our team here at the recycling center!

Larger scrap metal items mixed in with smaller plastics and metals. This picture also contains a dissassembled washer and an electric heater.
Larger scrap metal items mixed in with smaller plastics and metals. This picture also contains a dissassembled washer and an electric heater.
Larger scrap metal items mixed in with smaller plastics and metals. This picture also contains a dissassembled washer and an electric heater.
Larger scrap metal items mixed in with smaller plastics and metals. This picture also contains a dissassembled washer and an electric heater.

Use Reusable Grocery Bags

Did you know that the recycling center cannot accept soft plastic? They are known as tanglers and get caught in our equipment. One way to cut down on the amount of plastic waste we create is by switching to reusable grocery bags. Just like a reusable water bottle, you may already have a reusable grocery bag, but it’s easy to forget them at home when we head to the store. Try writing “BAGS” at the top of your shopping list or keep them in your back seat so you remember to use them.

1 … 3 4 5 6