Construction for a new facility to handle Ames’ community trash and recycling could begin this spring.
Ames is building the new facility to handle the community’s trash and recycling, and work on the project is progressing well, the city council learned in a report reviewed at Tuesday’s meeting.
The Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C), being built on Freel Drive, is expected to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than the current system, according to the report.
The project reached an important milestone. The design team at HDR, Inc. completed 60% of the detailed plans, which city staff is now reviewing. If everything stays on schedule, the project will be ready to put out for construction bids in mid-January, with actual construction expected to begin in spring 2026.
The new building will work differently from the current facility. Instead of allowing trucks to drive straight through the building, they will enter from the north, make a U-turn to drop off their loads, and exit through a separate door. This design reduces conflicts between large commercial trucks and personal vehicles. Residents dropping off recyclables will now park at a dedicated customer area rather than entering the same space as commercial haulers.
Another major change involves the shredder, the machine that breaks down waste so metal can be recovered. The city’s existing shredder is too old to move to the new facility. Original plans called for a $500,000 rebuild of this unit. The city will now purchase a new one for about $1 million. The new shredder will break materials into larger pieces than the old one and will be easier to maintain.
The city also plans to install a new compacting machine that will squeeze waste into tight bales for easier transport. This equipment costs an extra $1.5 million but should save money in the long run by reducing transportation costs and allowing trucks to carry more per trip.
The new facility will also use significantly less electricity than the current plant. It will have LED lighting throughout, use heat pumps instead of gas for heating and cooling, and be designed so solar panels can be added later. The city also plans to buy electric vehicle charging stations for staff and visitors. Staff has also identified other savings from the original estimate.
The total project cost is now estimated at nearly $16.9 million, up from about $16.8 million. Despite these additions, the city’s financial team expects that operational savings will keep the tipping fee — the charge for disposal — at around $95 per ton starting in 2027.
Before construction can begin, the city is working on several preparatory steps. The property has been rezoned to allow the facility, and the city is planning improvements to Freel Drive. The council will decide whether nearby properties should help pay for the road work.
City staff kept the community informed through presentations, newsletters and open houses. Staff met with neighboring communities, waste haulers and local organizations to explain the project and gather feedback. The city launched a new newsletter called the R3Cycled Report that provides updates every two weeks.
The next steps include finalizing the design plans by the end of December and presenting the bid documents to the city council in January before companies are invited to submit their construction proposals.
