The average person in the United States creates between 4 and 5 pounds of garbage a day. This means that each of us throws away between 1,300 and 1,600 pounds of garbage each year.

Each year, Americans throw away 28 billion glass bottles and jars, 90 billion plastic bottles, 62 billion pounds of paper and over 200 million tires.

Although much of this bulk could easily be recycled, this waste is incinerated, thrown into landfills or dumped into the oceans.

The Ames Area Recycling Center accepts milk jugs, lead batteries, tires, newspaper, steel cans, glass and white paper. They have 24-hour drop-off bins outside and are open every day except Sunday.

Darian Johnston, a senior in mechanical engineering, said that he was under the impression recycling would be a hassle, but after recycling once at the Ames Area Recycling Center, he says he will do it regularly.

“It was much easier than I thought. All of the bins and barrels were outside so I could just park my car next to them, unload the recyclables and leave,” Johnston said.

The Ames Area Recycling Center, located at 1822 East Lincoln Way, began operation in October of 1989. Carolyn Stouwie, co-owner of the facility, said the center is a private enterprise that was started with a grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Last year, the center handled over 1,682 tons of recyclables, in addition to the 10 million Iowa five-cent deposits they issued.

“I had some school children calculate the amount we recycled into cubic yards. It was enough to fill Cyclone Stadium three-feet deep,” Stouwie said.

Ames also has the fortune of having a curbside delivery service. Fresh Aire Delivery Service, which collects more than 16 different materials, has been serving Ames since November of 1991.

The company, known for bicyclists pulling trains of recycling bins, has about 20 employees, most of whom are ISU students.

Residence and apartment rates run $3.00 per week for one bin. The residence halls are charged a slightly higher rate due to the increased bulk.

Joan Stein, co-owner of the enterprise, said the company’s number of customers was given a boost this past year when the ISU residence halls decided to pay for every floor to have pickup service.

“It keeps us really busy,” Stein said.

There are several other recycling options in Ames. Area grocery stores, such as Hy-Vee in west Ames, have recycling bins for plastic grocery bags.

Youth and Shelter Services, located at 429 South Duff, accepts donations of redemption cans and bottles. Bell Salvage, 500 Freel Drive, accepts all ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Critics will say there is not a market for an influx of recycled goods. Until 1993, markets were generally unreliable, prices were too low, and many communities were unsure of the feasibility of selling the materials they collected.

However, according to a Worldwatch Institute report, big changes have come to recycling in North America.

The Institute reported that prices in major cities in America have soared, the markets for these materials have become more reliable, and, in some cases, the scrap can not keep up with the demand.

New York City, for example, used to pay $6 million a year to rid itself of the newspaper it had collected in recycling programs but now expects the newsprint to generate more than $10 million from sales.