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Ames Council Moves to Allow Recycling Program Opt-Outs

The city is creating an ordinance to let certain residents opt out of curbside recycling due to alley access issues.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Organic Food

Isometric editorial illustration of a suburban alleyway with a single recycling bin, representing municipal waste service policy.
Ames city officials are drafting an ordinance to permit residents with restricted alley access to opt out of the municipal recycling program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should residents be allowed to opt out of mandatory recycling fees if collection access is difficult?

Ames city officials have initiated the creation of an ordinance allowing specific properties to opt out of the municipal curbside recycling program. This move follows ongoing difficulties for collection trucks navigating city alleys.

Why it matters

The proposed ordinance addresses logistical challenges that have prevented efficient trash collection for residents living in properties that lack frontage street access. Resolving these navigation issues is essential for maintaining consistent service across the city.

The city currently charges a $7.75 monthly recycling fee, with a first-year collection contract for Aspen Waste Systems of Iowa totaling $659,000. Officials estimate an annual revenue loss of $30,969 if all eligible properties opt out.

The players

Ames City Council

This is the primary legislative body governing the municipality of Ames, Iowa, responsible for enacting local ordinances and managing city resources.

Aspen Waste Systems of Iowa

This private waste management firm holds a five-year collection contract with the city to handle recycling services.

The details

Properties eligible for the new opt-out policy include those that abut an alley without driveway access to a street and are not currently receiving collection services. The city has already recorded 27 resident complaints regarding alley access and seen 8 customers withdraw from the program.

Timeline

  1. July 1: The city residential curbside recycling program began.

  2. August: The council directed staff to develop opt-out criteria.

  3. October 13, 2026: Council requested the formal preparation of the opt-out ordinance.

  4. 2027: The city plans to complete a new $16.7 million recycling campus.

Culture Shift

This policy change reflects a shift toward balancing mandatory municipal services with the practical infrastructure realities of older residential layouts. The move aligns with long-term city planning goals as Ames prepares to launch its $16.7 million Resource Recovery and Recycling campus in 2027.

Residents living in eligible properties will soon have the option to discontinue their mandatory $7.75 monthly recycling fee. Those affected must continue to follow current collection procedures until the new ordinance is formally adopted and implemented.

The takeaway

The city is working to resolve logistical conflicts between residential property layouts and waste management service requirements. Homeowners should monitor upcoming council sessions for specific instructions on how to submit an opt-out request once the ordinance is enacted.

What happens next

The City Council will continue the legislative process to finalize the opt-out ordinance following the October 13, 2026, request.

Further reading

For broader context on local waste management and sustainability initiatives, visit Organic Food.

Source note: This article includes information reported by USA TODAY.

Live Poll

Should residents be allowed to opt out of mandatory recycling fees if collection access is difficult?