Pottawattamie County, IA Rural Recycling Center Marks Five years in Operation

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Five years ago, the Pottawattamie County Rural Recycling Center opened the doors of its new home off Highway 59 just north of Oakland. The goals for the new facility were to foster participation in recycling throughout the county and minimize waste to conserve energy, recover resources and protect the environment.

Over the last five years, rural Pottawattamie County residents have shown that they are up to the task. In 2022, the recycling center recycled 44,320 pounds of paper, 35,740 pounds of plastic and 87,740 pounds of cardboard, according to the county. In total, the center processed more than 2.4 million pounds of recyclable products in 2022, up from 1.8 million in 2021 and 1.6 million in 2020.

Matt Wyant, director of Pottawattamie County Planning and Development, attributes the center’s success to partnerships with city and local organizations throughout the county. “What we’ve tried to do since day one in this facility is emphasize the importance of collaboration,” Wyant said in a news release. “We’re grateful for the assistance we’ve received from local organizations to help accomplish our goals, and we’re excited about the participation from our residents that have helped ensure our county is thriving for future generations. Together, we’ve really made a difference.”

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com