Facility details
- Address
- 110 Center Ave
Ames, IA 50010 - Phone
- (515) 239-5400
- Google reviews
- See visitor reviews on Google
- Website
- cityofames.org
- Facility type
- MRF
- Operator
- Municipal
- County
- Story County
- EPA Region
- 7
- Data sources
- EPA
- Last verified
- 2026-10-15
EPA record
Listed in the EPA Facility Registry: 110018866271
Programs on file: AIR IA0000001916900123 · AIR IA0001900008501050 · Air program 1916900123 · IDNR_EFD 311216996 · IDNR_EFD 311255142 · RCRA hazardous-waste handler IAD000686816
Interest types: AIR MINOR, AIR SYNTHETIC MINOR
EPA record updated 2026-06-14
About this facility
A materials recovery facility, or MRF, is the plant where mixed curbside recycling is sorted. Collection trucks tip commingled material on the floor, and a line of screens, magnets, eddy-current separators, optical sorters and hand-picking stations separates it into bales of cardboard, paper, plastics by resin, aluminum and steel for sale to end markets. MRFs mainly serve haulers and municipal programs rather than walk-in customers, although some operate a public drop-off area. Contamination such as bagged recyclables, food waste and hoses slows the line and lowers bale value. Hours, fees and accepted materials vary — call ahead before bringing material, since many MRFs accept only contracted route loads.
Typically accepted at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
- Cardboard and mixed paper
- Plastic bottles, jugs and tubs
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Glass containers (program dependent)
- Cartons (program dependent)
Hours, fees and accepted materials vary by site — call ahead before hauling a load.
Nearby facilities
- Jerry Carney and Sons Metals 1.1 mi · Ames, IA
- Ames Bottle and Can Recycling 4.7 mi · Ames, IA
- Can Depot Recycling 14.3 mi · Boone, IA
- Boone County Recycling Center Recycling 15.1 mi · Boone, IA
- Boone County Sanitary Landfill Landfill 16.0 mi · Boone, IA
- Ankeny Bottle and Can Recycling 20.7 mi · Ankeny, IA
- GKAT Reclamation Recycling 24.7 mi · Des Moines, IA
- A-TEC Recycling Recycling 24.8 mi · Des Moines, IA
- Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Transfer Station 24.8 mi · Bondurant, IA
- Metro Waste Authority HHM Regional Collection Center Transfer Station 24.9 mi · Bondurant, IA
Nearest landfill: Boone County Sanitary Landfill, Boone — 16.0 mi
Waste haulers nearby
- Automotive Lift Services Purple Cow Junk Removal & Home Services1.2 mi · Ames, IA · 1 driver
- Bell Salvage1.2 mi · Ames, IA · 2 drivers
- J L Chitty Garbage Service Inc8.4 mi · Nevada, IA · 8 drivers
- Precision Excavating & Septic LLC12.9 mi · Madrid, IA · 1 driver
- Molitor Construction LLC13.5 mi · Boone, IA · 5 drivers
Area served
Serves Ames, Kelley, Gilbert, Nevada, Huxley, Cambridge, Luther, Story City, Roland, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid.
County context
One of 3 recycling centers in Story County, IA.
3 waste haulers in Story County, IA.
ZIP 50010 at a glance
- Population
- 33,799 (217 per sq mi)
- Median age
- 29
- Households
- Median income $65,398 · 29% earn six figures
- Housing
- 53% owner-occupied · median home value $253,809 · median rent $973
- Workforce
- 66% labor-force participation · 3.7% unemployment
ZIP figures are US Census estimates for the ZIP area, not the company.
Iowa solid-waste agency: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)