WAVERLY - Norah Bruns doesn't like to let her plastic jugs and containers pile up. So she makes frequent trips to the Waverly's recycling center.

Earlier this week, Bruns visited at the new location on the city's northwest side, empty cartons in hand. For Bruns, the site means a longer drive, but that's OK. Recycling is important, she said, and the new building is a sign of progress.

"It's really a nice facility to have," Bruns said.

The city started accepting recyclables Monday at 2800 Fifth Ave. NW.

The 7,600-square-foot building is larger and more spacious than the previous recycling center across town on the city's southeast side, City Engineer Mike Cherry said. But the essence of the drop-off service remains unchanged, and items intended for Goodwill Industries are accepted.

"We take all the same products and materials that we did before," he said.

Curbside recycling also still is available, Cherry added.

The previous recycling facility, situated near the city's yard waste site, was intended to be a temporary location since it was establishment in 1992, Cherry said. By moving, the recycling drop-off gets out of the flood plain. Strategically, it also is on Waverly's west side, where most citizens live, Cherry said.

"So 17 years later we have a permanent facility which is sized for our current needs but also has the ability to grow with the community," Cherry said.

Next spring, the city plans to relocate the yard waste site as well. The move to Fifth Avenue Northwest will allow officials to keep the yard waste site open most days because of shared staffing with the recycling center, Cherry said. Until then, brushes and branches still are accepted at the existing site east of the soccer complex.

Long-term plans include construction of a 600,000-square-foot building for public works offices and large equipment storage near the new recycling center. One-third of the facility for recycling now stores some of the city's largest machines.

Members of the City Council recently agreed to buy two stationary compactors for plastics and corrugated cardboard. The cost is about $53,000. The compactors will increase efficiency, Cherry said.