The Metro Transfer Station is open to pre-approved customers only and is not open to the general public. The general public can dispose of their materials at the Metro Park East Landfill.

The Metro Transfer Station was established to reduce the number of vehicles going to the Metro Park East Landfill. The Metro Transfer Station consolidates and transports 75 percent of all residential solid waste collected within the Polk County area. It also allows waste haulers from MWA member communities to combine loads and shorten their routes, thereby saving time, fuel and money. This effort reduces the amount of litter seen along the highway.

The Metro Transfer Station is designated to handle residential waste, although a limited amount of light commercial waste is transferred here.