Recycling Centers in Ottumwa, IA
Find drop-off recycling locations in Ottumwa, Iowa. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Find recycling drop-off locations in Ottumwa, Iowa. This directory lists 3 facilities serving the Ottumwa area, with details on hours and contact information to help you plan your visit.
Recycling in Ottumwa: A Local Guide
Ottumwa is the seat of Wapello County in southeast Iowa, and its primary public recycling facility is the Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center at 2415 Emma Street, just off Highway 34 East. Run by the City of Ottumwa, the center handles the materials that curbside bins can't — tires, used motor oil, antifreeze, car and rechargeable batteries, appliances, electronics, and yard waste. Hours are Monday–Friday 7 AM–4 PM and Saturday 7 AM–Noon; the center is closed Sundays and all federal holidays.
Fees at the Wapello recycling center are modest but required for most items. Passenger tires are $3.00 each (raised April 2023); appliances cost $5.00 with a sticker purchased in advance at Walmart, Menards, or local grocery stores. Electronics fees scale by size: a TV under 27" is $10, a 27–39" set is $15, and anything larger is $25. Laptops, towers, and monitors are $5 each; VCRs and DVD players are $2. In contrast, used motor oil, cooking oil, antifreeze, car batteries, and rechargeable batteries are all accepted free. Oil filters are 25 cents each. For questions about specific items, call 641-683-0685 before making the trip.
Residents looking to return Iowa deposit beverage containers for their 5-cent refund should visit Can Dough Redemption Center at 1268 W 2nd Street. Can Dough operates on a shorter schedule — Wednesday and Thursday 10 AM–6 PM, Friday 10 AM–4 PM, Saturday 9 AM–1 PM — and accepts only deposit containers (carbonated soft drink and beer cans and bottles with the Iowa 5-cent mark), not general recyclables.
Robertson Store (10002 Highland Center Rd) is listed in salvage directories as a closed auto parts and scrap yard. Third-party sources indicate it is no longer operating; call 641-653-4722 to confirm before visiting. For scrap metal and auto parts needs, the Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center or Earth911.com listings for Wapello County are your best starting point. Ottumwa neighbors other Iowa communities with recycling resources; nearby cities served by similar county programs include Oskaloosa and Centerville.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Ottumwa
Where can I recycle old tires in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center at 2415 Emma St accepts passenger tires for $3.00 each (bulk tires at $300/ton). Open Mon–Fri 7 AM–4 PM and Sat 7 AM–Noon. Call 641-683-0685 to confirm current fees.
How do I recycle electronics and old TVs in Ottumwa?
Bring them to the Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center (2415 Emma St). TVs are $10–$25 depending on size; laptops and computer towers are $5 each. Davis County residents should check with MPA, which also accepts some e-waste.
Where do I return deposit cans and bottles in Ottumwa?
Can Dough Redemption Center at 1268 W 2nd St pays the Iowa 5-cent deposit in cash for qualifying carbonated and beer containers. Open Wed–Thu 10 AM–6 PM, Fri 10 AM–4 PM, Sat 9 AM–1 PM.
Is free recycling available in Ottumwa for oil and batteries?
Yes. The Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center accepts used motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries, and rechargeable batteries at no charge. Oil filters are 25 cents each. The center is at 2415 Emma St, open Monday–Saturday.