WATERLOO -- It's a good thing Simon the Sorting Squirrel isn't around to see this.

The mascot created to launch Waterloo's drop-off recycling program in 1993 has retired to permanent hibernation. While the program is still going strong, heavy abuse and illegal dumping at some of the 10 locations are creating neighborhood eyesores and driving up costs.

"You get everything from garbage and hazardous materials to furniture to dirty diapers," said Waste Management Services Superintendent Tim Shea. "All of this is subsidized by garbage rates. It's costing all of us money."

The city has been spending a few hundred dollars each month to have a private contractor clean the site, especially the locations at the former Chamberlain Manufacturing plant on East Fourth Street and at Eveland-Jordan Plaza on West Fifth Street. The dumping increased dramatically in August, presumably when residents began piling flood debris in and around the recycling bins.

Two years ago, a couple of stores asked the city to remove the drop-off bins from their parking lots, citing the litter problem.

"It's irritating at best," said Mayor Tim Hurley. "We do have a couple of sites that get more stuff that doesn't belong."

Hurley said his office hears complaints and gets calls when a site becomes a mess. But the program is not in disarray.

"It's a great, great program," Hurley said. "It still remains a huge convenience for people, and it's the right thing to do. It keeps those recyclables out of the landfill."

While most of the trash at the recycling sites comes from obvious abuse -- some bad landlord cleaning up after tenants and some private garbage haulers are among the perpetrators -- Hurley noted some residents just don't understand what is allowed and disallowed at the site.

The city has a contract with Denver Construction to operate the drop-off sites. About 300 tons of material were diverted from the landfill for recycling in the last fiscal year at a cost to Waterloo garbage customers of $126,000. The city also receives fee rebates from the Black Hawk County Solid Waste Management Commission to help offset recycling costs.

A curb-side recycling program started in 2005 removes another 420 tons of recyclables from the waste stream each year.

Shea said he's requested better signs for the recycling sites from the contractor. He also encourages residents who hire private garbage haulers to ask to see the hauler's license and also request a landfill receipt after the fact.

"Billy Bob at the tavern will take it for $2," Shea said. "You bet he will, but where is he going to take it?"

Shea said it is in everyone's best interest to follow the rules and help others learn them.

"We lose the recyclable value if there's enough garbage in it," he said. "We pay through the nose for this abuse."

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.