Curbit!®

MWA implemented the Curb It!® Recycling Program in 1994.

The initial purpose of the program was to assist the Polk County area in meeting the state's recycling mandate requirements, which say that every community in Iowa must provide some type of recycling opportunities to its residents. The Curb It! program helps residents recycle more than 20,000 tons of material each year. Since the program began, this has kept more than 15,000 garbage trucks from going to the landfill!

How Many Bins Can I Set Out?
You can place up to two bins at your curb on each collection day.

Recycle This!

• Cardboard (max. 4 per pick up)
• Newspapers
• Mixed paper
• All plastic bottles (bottles have openings smaller than the base)
• Empty aerosol cans
• Wire hangers
• Aluminum and tin cans
• Plastic margarine and yogurt containers
• Clear glass food jars

Trash This!

• Broken or colored glass, vases, plates, and bowls
• Paper towels
• Tissues
• Lids from glass jars
• Paper contaminated with food
• Pizza boxes
• Toilet paper
• Napkins
• Spray nozzles or pumps
• Styrofoam
• Aluminum foil
• Containers that once held motor oil or antifreeze
• Any plastic item that is not a bottle, a yogurt or margarine container

HOW TO PACK YOUR BIN(S)
There are several options for packing your bin(s), and you can choose what works for you depending on what materials your home chooses to recycle. The three ways to pack your bin are the traditional mix, containers only, or paper only. Remember, choose what works for you!

Traditional Mix
The traditional way to pack your bin is to include all materials accepted in Curb it!. The diagram and list below explain the items and how they should be packed. Remember, though, you don't have to recycle everything listed here. Choose what works for you – every bit helps!

1. Cardboard – Break down cardboard so that it lays flat. Four pieces at a time, please!
   
   
2. Loose Newspaper – Don't bind or bag, just place newspapers in the bottom of the bin.
   
   
3. Mixed paper – Place mixed paper items inside a paper sack or cereal box. Include items such as magazines, phone books, junk mail, catalogs, office paper, sticky notes, and paper envelopes. (No more than two phone books at a time!)
   
4. Plastic bottles, clear glass jars, and aluminum/tin/aerosol cans - Rinse out these containers and make sure they're visible in your bin.

Cans & Bottles & Jars
Another Curb It! option focuses on containers – from plastic and clear glass bottles and jars to tin, aluminum and aerosol cans! Just throw them all in the bin at once.

Paper Only
Recycling paper is easy with Curb it!. Newspapers on the bottom, mixed paper in a paper sack. Throw in magazines, catalogs, phone books, window and other paper envelopes, sticky notes, office paper, catalogs, junk mail and more.

What is a plastic bottle? It's easy to find out – just check the neck! Bottles are containers that have an opening that is smaller than the base.

RECYCLING TIPS

• Only clear glass food jars are accepted. Broken or colored glass; vases; plates; or bowls should be thrown away.
  
• Please rinse out containers, but there is no need to remove labels from containers.
• Containers should be visible and loose in your bin. Please do not place containers in any type of bag or sack.
• Plastic bottles and tin/aluminum cans can be crushed to save space.
• Put mixed paper inside a paper sack or cereal box.
• Keep newspapers loose - don't bind or bag them.
• In windy weather, try putting heavier items (glass jars, tin cans or a closed sack of mixed paper) on top of light items for added weight or, use a brick or board.
• Write your address on your Curb it! bin (with permanent marker or paint) to easily identify it if the wind carries it out of your yard.

QUESTIONS??? Metro Waste Authority does NOT collect garbage or recyclables from residents. Call your hauler if you have questions about the program or to request another bin.