We had no idea we were in violation of any law. We decided to try this and hopefully save our business in the process. It's nothing personal against anyone. We were hoping for community support.

When I worked in Ames at the recycling center we had two containers - pop cans and two-liter bottles. Now we have seven different sizes in plastic, and they expect us to separate them all out. Do all of that on the same penny.

We only have one full-time employee now, because we couldn't afford any others, and we do a lot of the work ourselves too.

The bright side is you're getting good companies at a fraction of the cost.

I like the simpler the better.

There's no Plan B. So you're a little more exposed.