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Microwave Recycling in Des Moines, IA

Microwaves need seven pink $5 stickers ($35) and a scheduled City pickup, or can be dropped free at SCRUB days or self-hauled to Metro Park East Landfill.

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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

5 ways to get rid of a microwave in Des Moines

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

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  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Des MoinesNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $90.00
    How it works

    Book online, set out your microwave and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.

    Book a pickup →

  2. City of Des Moines SCRUB drop-off eventsCity service · Des MoinesDes Moines residentsFree
    How it works

    Free monthly drop-off days for Des Moines residents (3rd Saturday, March-November, 7 AM-2 PM) at the Metro Central Transfer Station, 4198 Delaware Ave. (trash, furniture, TVs, computers, appliances, tires) and the City Compost Center, 1601 Harriet St. (yard debris). Some months add a neighborhood MEGA SCRUB with hazardous waste drop-off.

    Cost & rules
    • 3rd Saturday of the month, March-November, at 4198 Delaware Ave.; bring proof of Des Moines residency; cars, pickups and small trailers only.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  3. Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (Metro Waste Authority Regional Collection Center, Bondurant)County service · Polk CountyPolk County residents$22
    How it works

    Metro Waste Authority's Regional Collection Center for household hazardous waste at 1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant, IA 50035 (Census: Bondurant city, Polk County). Open Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM and Saturday 8 AM-noon. Most household hazardous items are free up to 75 lbs; appliances, electronics, TVs, latex paint and tires carry fees. Also a recycling and bottle/can drop-off and a Swap Shop. Phone 515-967-5512.

    Cost & rules
    Fees
    Small appliance$22
    • Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM, Saturday 8 AM-noon; closed on major holidays.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  4. Metro Park East Landfill (Metro Waste Authority)County service · Polk County$22
    How it works

    Metro Waste Authority's main landfill and appliance demanufacturing site at 12181 NE University Ave., Mitchellville, IA 50169 (Census: unincorporated Camp Township, Polk County — outside Mitchellville city limits). Takes garbage, appliances ($22 residential), CRT TVs, tires, mattresses, scrap metal and yard waste for fees. Phone 515-967-2076.

    Cost & rules
    Fees
    Appliance (residential)$22
    • Open Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-4:30 PM and Saturday mornings; payment due at time of service.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  5. City of Des Moines large item and appliance collection (pink stickers)City service · Des MoinesDes Moines residents$35
    How it works

    Des Moines Public Works collects large items and appliances at the curb by appointment: call 515-283-4950 (24/7) at least 24 hours before collection day. Each bulk item needs a pink $5 Large Item sticker; appliances need seven ($35) and are collected the following Monday.

    Cost & rules
    Fees
    Appliance collection (seven $5 stickers)$35
    • Call 515-283-4950 at least 24 hours ahead; items at the curb by 7 a.m. with stickers facing the street.
    • Appliances are collected on the Monday after you schedule.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Remove the glass turntable; some operators can’t take the glass.
  2. Ask whether it’s priced as an appliance or as electronics.
More about microwaves

Iowa rules

More Iowa rules (8)
Where this information comes from (33)

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.
    • Iowa has 28 main RCCs and 43 satellite facilities serving 96 of the state's counties. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Some counties are served by RCC mobile collection events run under contract with a main RCC; 29 counties have RCC mobile service. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many RCCs run a Swap Shop where usable products can be dropped off for others to take at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DNR publishes a county-by-county table of the RCC main and satellite facilities that serve each county. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Rates & Accepted Items (residential hazardous waste) (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
    • Small appliances ($22) — window air conditioner, dehumidifier, microwave, dorm-style fridge — are accepted at Bondurant only. 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.
  • 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.
    • 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.
  • 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.
    • 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.
    • Appliances can be delivered directly to MWA Metro Park East Landfill. 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.
    • 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.
  • 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.
    • RCC services for eligible businesses carry a small fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DNR tells residents to find their nearest RCC and schedule an appointment before dropping off hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DNR says not to dump hazardous materials in ditches, pour them down drains or sewers, or put them in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Iowa Code chapter 455F: Household hazardous materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Legislature (Legislative Services Agency)
    • Under Iowa Code chapter 455F, regional collection centers keep regular hours when the public may drop off hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Iowa DNR: Appliances & Electronics (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
    • Iowa requires every discarded appliance to be demanufactured (refrigerant, mercury and PCB parts removed) by a permitted demanufacturer before disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Iowa Administrative Code 567, Chapter 100 (definitions) (opens in new tab) · Iowa Legislature (Legislative Services Agency)
    • Iowa's rule definition of appliances names microwave ovens, so they fall under the demanufacturing requirement. Checked October 26, 2026.

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

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