On average, each of us generates over one ton of garbage each year. Most of this garbage is disposed in a Sanitary Landfill. This is where garbage is buried in the ground and may never go away.

Did you know?

• Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste that is buried, saving valuable land.
• Recycling reduces the impact on our natural resources when recyclables are transformed into new products.
• Mason City residents have collectively recycled an average of 2,837,468 pounds of material each year since 1996.
• Mason city residents set our approximately 10 pounds of recyclables per person per month.

SANITATION SERVICE/RECYCLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How much non recyclable refuse are residents allowed to place on the curb for collection?
Residents may set out 1 (one) 30 gallon container, no more than 50 pounds in weight. Any refuse amount beyond the first container must have a landfill disposal sticker placed upon the stem of the bag or on the handle of the container. Stickers cannot be reused and are available from local grocery store retailers at a cost of $1.00 each with a $5.00 minimum purchase.

Who picks up the recyclables?
The City will pick up the recyclables at curbside on the specified collection day of the week.

Where do residents put the recyclables?
Place the recyclables in the recycling bin provided by the City.

What should a resident do if a recycling bin is lost, damaged or stolen?
Call 421-3691 to arrange for a replacement bin at cost ($7.00). The first bin is furnished. Residents and tenants who move out of a dwelling should leave the bin for the next owner or occupant.

What if a resident has questions about recycling?
For additional information about recycling call the Sanitation Division at 421-3691

Do residents have to separate the newspapers, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, cans, bottles and jugs?
Newspapers and paperboard (cereal boxes) are to be bound or placed in paper bags otherwise everything, with the exception of cardboard, is placed together in the recycling bin provided. Cardboard is placed next to the recycling bin. Recycling collectors will sort the recyclables into truck containers at the curb.

What if all the recyclables will not fit in the recycling bin?
More room can be gained by crushing cans and jugs. Do not break glass containers. Bound or bagged newspapers and paperboard may be placed beside or under the recycling bin if the bin is full. DO NOT set newspapers, paperboard or cardboard out on unfavorable days (wet, windy, etc.) - save for the next collection day.

Now that the recyclables are in the recycling bin, what next?
Place the recycling bin at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the specified collection day. A collector will come by to empty the recycling bin and place it back at the curb

What if a resident puts out recyclables and a scavenger takes them before the City recycling collection arrives?
Anyone who takes a recycling bin, or its contents, is committing a crime of theft, punishable by a fine and a jail sentence. Report such crimes to the Police Department Dispatcher at 421-3636 as soon as possible

What are the charges for the curbside recycling program?
A resident pays a base rate of $9.00 per month which covers the weekly collection of recyclables, yard waste and one (1) 30 gallon-50 pound garbage container. All 30 gallon-50 pound garbage containers beyond the first container must have a landfill disposal sticker placed upon the stem of the bag or on the handle of the container. These stickers are such that they cannot be reused and are available from local grocery store retailers at a cost of $1.00 each with a $5.00 minimum purchase.

What can I recycle?
Newspaper with inserts and paperboard collapsed. Magazines and catalog's; glossy, glue back or stapled binding. Place in paper bags or tied with strings.

Corrugated Cardboard, clean, collapsed, bundled and placed next to recycling bin on collection day. 2'X 3' X 6" (Tied or taped secure on all four sides).

Do not mix paper and cardboard

Clear glass food and beverage containers, rinsed clean with caps and lids discarded and placed in recycling bin. Colored glass, ceramics, pyrex, clay pots, crystal, light bulbs, drinking glasses window or mirror glass CAN NOT be recycled

Tin and aluminum cans (pop cans, tin soups cans, coffee cans, etc.), rinsed clean with paper labels removed and placed in recycling bin. Aerosol cans CAN NOT be recycled

Plastic #1 to #7 bottles or jugs, with neck. Rinsed clean; caps and ring's removed and discarded. Collapse jug's if needed and place in bin.