Appliance Collection Tags Now Required

Local residents are being reminded that starting Wednesday, July 1st, all appliances put out for curbside collection or brought to the Recycling Center will need a $5 appliance tag. The hot pink colored sticker tags are now available at the local grocery stores. Customers dropping off appliances at the Recycling Center can pay the $5 fee at the office if they do not have a tag.

Appliances that will require a $5 pink disposal tag include: dishwashers, washers/dryers, refrigerators/freezers, ovens/stoves/ranges, microwaves, dehumidifiers, furnaces, air conditioners trash compactors, ice machines, water coolers, water softeners, water heaters, commercial appliances, and large medical devices. The fee for customers bringing appliances from outside the Wapello and Davis County area is $20 per appliance.

The $5 appliance disposal fee helps pay for the cost removing hazardous components like PCBs, mercury and refrigerants. These materials can only be removed under the direction of a person who has completed specific training approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the materials must be contained and stored in accordance with federal law and the storage area must be inspected every 30 days. The Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center is the only legally permitted appliance demanufacturer in the area.