warg

11 Waste and Recycling waste materials may lead to disciplinary action up to and including loss of employment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA controls the disposal of waste hazardous chemicals and items such as appliances, computers and light bulbs. The primary purpose of EPA regulations is to protect human health by preventing environmental contamination and encouraging reuse and recycling. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) The DNR regulates waste that goes into landfills and pollutants that might enter the air and water. It restricts the burning of trash and other items and controls pollution by issuing permits to companies and treatment plants that discharge wastewater to streams and rivers. The City of Ames Ames operates the Solid Waste Recovery Plant and the Sewage Treatment Plant and, therefore, sets rules regarding what may be thrown away or poured down the drain. While the rules might be based on state or federal law, the city may pass more restrictive ordinances concerning specific items. For example, hazardous chemicals generated from private homes are not regulated by the EPA and could, therefore, be discarded along with normal trash. Ames and most other cities and counties encourage responsible disposal of hazardous materials by establishing Household Hazardous Waste Collection Points.