Recycling in Des Moines, IA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-off (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Household hazardous waste drop-off hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM and Saturday 8 AM-noon, closed on major holidays. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Hazardous Waste Satellite Locations (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • The Bondurant drop-off is designated as a regional collection site where residents and businesses can drop off hazardous waste; MWA also partners with nearby counties for satellite sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Iowa DNR's RCC table lists Metro Waste Authority (1105 Prairie Dr. SW, Bondurant) as the Main RCC for Polk, Dallas, Warren, Boone, Story, Marshall and 14 other counties. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR lists Metro Waste Authority as the Main RCC for Dallas County. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR lists Metro Waste Authority as the Main RCC for Warren County, with a South Central Iowa SWA satellite in Winterset. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Rates & Accepted Items (residential hazardous waste) (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Most items are free of charge up to 75 lbs; items marked free are weighed and a $1/lb overage fee applies above 75 lbs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items marked free of charge are weighed; there is a $1/lb overage fee above the 75 lb limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Small appliances ($22) — window air conditioner, dehumidifier, microwave, dorm-style fridge — are accepted at Bondurant only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Rechargeable and alkaline batteries are marked free (up to 75 lbs) and are accepted at Bondurant, Grimes and through houseside collection (houseside pickup itself carries a fee). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer waste is $0.50/lb at Bondurant (not Grimes). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Electronics are $0.50/lb at Bondurant (not Grimes). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TVs: $30 for 39-inch or smaller, $40 for 40-inch or larger, at Bondurant (not Grimes). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Oil-based paint is marked free (up to 75 lbs) and latex paint is $1 per gallon can; both are accepted at Bondurant, Grimes and through houseside collection (houseside pickup itself carries a fee). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires: small (up to 16.5 inch) $10, large (16.5-24.5 inch) $20, at Bondurant only. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Tires (Recycling & Disposal Guide) (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • The Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off in Bondurant accepts up to four tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires are not allowed in garbage but can be brought to Metro Park East or Metro Park West Landfill, where they are kept separate and recycled later. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Electronics (Recycling & Disposal Guide) (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • The Bondurant drop-off accepts stereos, VCRs, DVD players, satellite receivers, cable boxes, fax machines, copiers, home phones, gaming systems and speakers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TVs can be recycled at Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Metro Park East Landfill, or through houseside collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Batteries (Recycling & Disposal Guide) (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Batteries are accepted free (up to 75 lbs) at the Grimes (appointment) and Bondurant sites, including vehicle batteries and leaking, cracked, swollen or defective batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MWA has partnered with metro communities on battery drop-off containers; all residents are welcome to use these free drop-offs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Containers accept laptops and tablets plus loose household batteries including alkaline, button and power-tool batteries; bag each battery using the bags provided. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to Responsibly Get Rid of Old Appliances (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Smaller appliances such as microwaves or dehumidifiers can also go to Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off in Bondurant. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appliances can be self-hauled to Metro Park East Landfill in Mitchellville, where they are demanufactured. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Stuck With Leftover Paint? Easy Tips to Solve Your Dilemma (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Usable latex paint can be recycled for $1 per gallon at Bondurant or the Metro Northwest Drop-Off in Grimes. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Oil-based paint is accepted free (up to 75 lbs) year-round at Bondurant or the Metro Northwest Drop-Off in Grimes. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Metro Park East Landfill (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Open Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-4:30 PM; Saturdays 7 AM-2 PM (April-October) or 8 AM-1 PM (November-March); closed major holidays. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Metro Park East Landfill Rates & Payments (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Appliances (fridges, freezers, ranges, AC units, dehumidifiers, water heaters, furnaces, washers/dryers, dishwashers, microwaves) are recycled for $22 residential; doors must be removed from fridges and freezers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TVs and computer monitors containing a CRT: $30 (39 inch or smaller), $40 (40 inch or larger). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tire prices per tire: small (up to 16.5 in.) $10, large (16.5-24.5 in.) $20, extra large (over 24.5 in.) $40. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Payment is required at the time of service; small vehicle flat rates are $12 (car), $17 (van/SUV) and $22 (large SUV, truck, trailer). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Small vehicle flat rates: car (loads under 200 lbs) $12, van/SUV $17, large SUV/truck/trailer $22. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Mattress & Box Spring Disposal (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Residents may bring mattresses and box springs to Metro Park East or Metro Park West Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents pay the standard residential disposal rate for 1-4 mattresses/box springs, plus $10 for each over four. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Metal (Recycling & Disposal Guide) (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Larger items and scrap metal are best taken to Metro Park East Landfill, where they are recycled through the C&D recycling program. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Houseside Collection (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • Houseside collection is available to residents of Altoona, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines and other MWA member communities. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible households are those eligible for Curb It! recycling (and townhomes with private driveways); waste must come from a household. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is a $25 fee per houseside collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Sign up online or call 515-244-0021; once the bin is filled, call MWA to schedule collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycling Drop-Offs (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
  • All residents are welcome to use the free community drop-offs; they are for residential use only, no commercial haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Cardboard drop-offs are collected most days except Sundays. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bulk Trash and Appliances (opens in new tab) · City of Des Moines
  • To schedule pick-up of large items or appliances, call 515-283-4950 at least 24 hours before the next collection day; stickered items must be at the curb by 7 a.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulk items needing a pink $5 Large Item sticker include furniture such as couches, dressers or tables, and mattresses, bed frames or box springs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulk items too big for a garbage cart require a pink $5 Large Item Sticker attached to each item. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • An appliance requires seven pink $5 Large Item stickers, a $35 collection fee, and is collected the following Monday after calling 515-283-4950. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appliances requiring pink stickers include clothes dryers, clothes washers, freezers, microwave ovens and refrigerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Garbage (opens in new tab) · City of Des Moines
  • The Public Works Solid Waste division is responsible for weekly collection of garbage from Des Moines residences. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCRUB Guidelines (opens in new tab) · City of Des Moines
  • SCRUB events are held the 3rd Saturday of each month, March through November. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Proof of residency (photo ID or current utility bill) is required; residents of Des Moines only, no commercial haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted at Metro Central Transfer Station and MEGA SCRUB: general trash including furniture, televisions and computers, and tires of any size (limit 10 per vehicle). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appliances accepted include refrigerators/freezers, microwaves, washers and dryers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Cars, pickups and small trailers (12-foot maximum) only. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCRUB Events (opens in new tab) · City of Des Moines
  • SCRUB events are free to Des Moines citizens. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Transfer Station SCRUB uses the Metro Waste Transfer Station at 4198 Delaware Ave. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Des Moines
  • Des Moines Public Works offers a cardboard-only drop-off site, open 24/7, at 110 SE 6th Street. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 110 SE 6th Street. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Iowa households can take household hazardous materials to Regional Collection Centers (RCCs); RCC services are free to residents within each RCC's service area. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR says rechargeable batteries should not go in the trash or the recycling bin. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa Code 455D.10: Land disposal of lead acid batteries prohibited; collection for recycling (opens in new tab) · Iowa Legislature (Legislative Services Agency)
  • Land disposal of lead-acid batteries has been prohibited in Iowa since July 1, 1990. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Iowa retailers selling lead-acid batteries must accept used lead-acid batteries from customers buying new ones, at the point of sale. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR disposal guide: Batteries (Lead Acid) (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • DNR: it is illegal in Iowa to put lead-acid batteries in the garbage or trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR says lead-acid batteries may also be recycled at the local Regional Collection Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR: the law requires retailers to accept an old lead-acid battery at the point of sale when you buy a new one. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Iowa DNR fact sheet: Battery Recycling/Disposal (revised 8/2015) (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • DNR notes that some retailers will take a lead-acid battery even without a new battery purchase. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network
  • Enter a ZIP code in The Battery Network locator to find drop-off sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries; check each location's details before visiting. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.