What Polk County itself runs: 6 landfills, sites and programs covering 15 items. If your town doesn’t have its own page, these are usually the places to start.
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (Metro Waste Authority Regional Collection Center, Bondurant)
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.
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.
Metro Waste Authority houseside hazardous waste collection
On-demand pickup of household hazardous waste at the door for residents of MWA member communities eligible for Curb It! recycling. $25 per collection; MWA drops off a 12-gallon bin and a bag, then collects when called (515-244-0021).
Altoona, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines residents
Metro Waste Authority large & extra item sticker program (orange stickers)
Curbside collection of large and extra items for cities that use the orange MWA sticker: buy $1/$5 stickers online, at city halls or retailers, attach them and set items out on garbage day. Appliances need seven $5 stickers ($35) and a scheduled pickup (515-244-0021).
Altoona, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, West Des Moines residents
Metro Waste Authority community cardboard recycling drop-offs
Free, mostly 24/7 cardboard recycling containers placed by Metro Waste Authority throughout the Des Moines metro (Altoona, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and others). Residential use only; no commercial haulers. Do not leave material on the ground.
Free battery drop-off containers at city halls, libraries and public works buildings across the Des Moines metro, serviced by Metro Waste Authority. They take loose household batteries (alkaline, button, power-tool) and small rechargeable electronics like laptops, tablets and phones; bag each battery.
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'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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
MWA's large-item sticker table lists Altoona, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Mitchellville, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Runnells, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights together in the row shown with the orange large-item sticker. Checked October 26, 2026.
Purchase stickers online or at a retailer, apply them to the item and set it at the curb on collection day. Checked October 26, 2026.
A $5 sticker covers items such as a couch or love seat, desk, entertainment center, table or a twin/double mattress. Checked October 26, 2026.
Twin/double mattresses take one $5 sticker. Checked October 26, 2026.
Queen/king mattresses and box springs take $10 (two $5 stickers). Checked October 26, 2026.
Appliances (fridges or freezers with doors removed, washers, dryers, microwaves, water heaters) take $35 (seven $5 stickers) and must be scheduled by calling 515-244-0021. Checked October 26, 2026.
A TV or computer monitor 19 inches or smaller takes a $1 sticker; larger TVs require a call to determine the number of stickers. Checked October 26, 2026.
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.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.