OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Ottumwa Recycling Center is asking for residents to be aware of what they are putting in their recycling containers. The center serves both Wapello and Davis Counties, including the cities of Ottumwa and Bloomfield.

Recently, employees of the center have noticed some of the items being delivered are not recyclable.  KTVO spoke with Janice Bain of the Ottumwa Recycling Center.

Bain said, “There are some things that can harm our employees or cause extensive breakdowns. Some materials that are harmful include sharps, which people use for injections; also large sheets of plastic, which the belt pulls up. Those sheets can get wrapped around the belt and cause damage.”

Some other problems that are causing concern are the different plastics that are being put into the recycling bins. Being that southeast Iowa has such a small population, the recycling center does not have some of the equipment needed to recycle certain kinds of plastics that a larger metropolitan area does have. Therefore, residents are urged to click here, so that they know exactly what can and cannot be put into the containers.

If you have any questions, Janice Bain of the Ottumwa Recycling Center is urging all customers to call (641) 683-0685.