Scavengers Hit Recycling Revenues Hard

The City has received complaints about suspicious persons driving neighborhoods at night to scavenge recyclable materials from the curb. City Code prohibits anyone, except the City or Whaley Waste employees, to remove recyclable materials or appliances from the curb.

Theft of recyclable goods, especially aluminum cans and appliances by private individuals, reduces the revenue the Recycling Center receives. Ottumwa's Director of Health, Inspections and Solid Waste, Jody Gates said, "The price for scrap metal is good right now. More people are working the streets at night, unlawfully collecting metal cans and taking appliances for personal profit. There are even organized rings trafficking in stolen appliances in Ottumwa. The Recycling Center has seen appliance collection numbers cut in half in the past year. This translates into a significant revenue loss for the recycling program."

Citizens who observe unauthorized persons removing recyclable materials or appliances from the curb should to report their observations to the Police by calling 683-0661. Information like a vehicle description and license number, time of theft, description of the people involved and the direction they were heading are all helpful facts. This information will help Police identify and arrest the persons responsible.