Recycling Centers in Centerville, IA
Find drop-off recycling locations in Centerville, Iowa. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
If you live in Centerville and need a convenient place to recycle, this directory helps you find local recycling centers. These centers accept standard materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum, as well as specialty items depending on the facility. Browse the listings below to find contact information and hours for each location.
Recycling in Centerville: A Local Guide
Centerville, the seat of Appanoose County in southern Iowa, is home to two distinct recycling operations that together cover nearly the full range of household and metal recycling needs. The Rathbun Area Solid Waste Commission at 3020 McCarty St runs a 24-hour recycling drop-off for cardboard, paper, glass, plastics, and tin cans — no staff required, no fee, no appointment. For residents in the broader Rathbun service area, the same campus also hosts a staffed transfer station (Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM, Sat 8 AM–noon) and a Regional Collection Center for household hazardous waste by appointment.
Scrap metal recycling is handled by Centerville Iron & Metal Inc, a family-owned yard on E Elm St that has been buying and selling ferrous and non-ferrous metals since 1957. The yard accepts aluminum, copper, brass, catalytic converters, radiators, and junk vehicles, paying on the spot. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. It is a metals-only operation — household recyclables and electronics should go to the RASWC recycling center instead.
For electronics drop-off, RASWC charges $12 per TV or computer monitor and accepts most other e-waste free of charge at its Regional Collection Center — just call (641) 437-7279 to schedule an appointment. The Commission also runs mobile recycling trailers that rotate through nearby Ottumwa and surrounding communities, including stops in Moravia and Moulton. Other Iowa recycling hubs within an hour's drive include Iowa City and Newton.
Appanoose County residents outside Centerville can use RASWC's satellite collection trailers in Moravia (2nd Thursday of odd months, 9–11 AM) and Moulton (3rd Wednesday of each month, 5 PM through the following Thursday at 4 PM). For questions about which communities are within the Rathbun service area, call RASWC at (641) 437-7279 or visit raswc.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Centerville
Is there a recycling center in Centerville, IA that is open 24 hours?
Yes. The Rathbun Area Solid Waste Commission's Recycling Center at 3020 McCarty St is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, for free drop-off of cardboard, paper, glass, plastics #1–7, and tin cans. No fee or appointment required.
Where can I sell scrap metal in Centerville, Iowa?
Centerville Iron & Metal Inc at 819 E Elm St buys all ferrous and non-ferrous metals Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4 PM. They pay on the spot and also offer junk vehicle pickup across southern Iowa and northern Missouri. Call (641) 856-3494 for current pricing.
How do I dispose of old paint or household chemicals in Centerville, IA?
The RASWC Regional Collection Center accepts paints, solvents, automotive fluids, batteries, and CFLs free of charge for residential users in the Rathbun service area. An appointment is required — call (641) 437-7279. Commercial users pay a case-by-case fee.
Are there recycling options near Centerville for residents of Moravia or Moulton?
Yes. RASWC operates mobile recycling trailers in both communities: Moravia (by City Hall on S. William St) on the 2nd Thursday of odd months, 9–11 AM; and Moulton (next to Moulton Fire Station) on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 5 PM through the next day at 4 PM. Nearby Ottumwa also has additional recycling options for southern Iowa residents.