Metro Waste Authority

Ever Visited the Highest Point in Polk County?

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You can at Metro Park East Landfill! Tours are set, so make plans to hop on the bus!

Almost everyone knows recycling is a great option for somethings, but other stuff simply needs to be thrown away. But where IS “away” exactly? “Away” for the Greater Des Moines area is Metro Park East Landfill in eastern Polk County. We invite you to come along and see where your garbage ends up when you toss it in your wastebasket at work or put it curbside at home. You’ll learn how Metro Waste Authority manages nearly 2,000 tons of trash each day and protects the environment at the same time.

Sign up now for the June bus tour. You’ll find all the details you need to know about your field trip experience, complete with a big yellow school bus. Space is limited and we want you to get a seat!

For more information,visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021

Can't Fit Everything in Your Curb It! Cart?

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Enroll in the Curb It! Extra program

Residents who could recycle more if they had additional cart space may want to consider Metro Waste Authority’s Curb It! Extra program, which provides participating households with an additional recycling cart (City of Des Moines residents can contact Des Moines Public Works at 283-4950 to sign up for a similar program).

Homeowners can opt to have the additional cart delivered for a one-time delivery charge of $25 per cart, or they can pick it up at no cost. The annual fee for the collection service is $30 per cart. There is no limit to the number of carts a resident can order.

Curb It! Extra participants may choose a 48- or 96-gallon container. Residents are eligible for the program if their primary cart is 96-gallons. Those who find their 48-gallon cart is not adequate to meet their recycling needs can increase their cart to a 96-gallon at no cost.

Depending on when the cart subscription is purchased, the cost for a year’s collection will be prorated. People who are interested in the program can place their order with Ramona at 244-0021. Payment can be made by check or credit card.

Annual Renewal: Residents with extra carts will receive an invoice in the mail in June for the renewal of the subscription. The annual collection service is valid from July to June. If residents do not renew their annual subscription, the extra cart(s) will be retrieved.

What to Recycle
Visit our website for a refresher on what should and should not be tossed in the Curb It! cart.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Hazardous Products Lurking in Your Home?

Metro Waste Authority — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Dispose of them at West Side Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs

Hazardous materials are used in day-to-day life without even giving it a second thought. When you care for your home, you often use hazardous products. Metro Waste Authority partners with western suburbs to help you recycle and dispose of these materials the safe and smart way. This year, you can recycle and dispose of these products at any of our west side drop-off events from 8 a.m. to Noon:

May 12, Waukee Middle School, 905 Warrior Lane
June 30, Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, 4440 Mills Civic Parkway
Oct. 27, Clive Aquatics Center, 1801 NW 114th Street

Latex paint, electronic waste and pharmaceuticals are NOT accepted at these events. You can find a complete list of accepted and not accepted items and other drop off dates scheduled in nearby suburbs on our website.

Year-Round Drop-Off
The Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off is open year-round to the public and accepts up to 75 lbs. of hazardous waste from residents per visit for free (with some exclusions). A $1/lb. is assessed above 75 lbs.

Grants Available for Environmental Projects

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Give Your Environmental Project a Financial Boost

Starting a recycling program? Looking to do a neighborhood clean up? Or installing a rain garden? If you need a little funding to get your environmental project off the ground, Metro Waste Authority’s Grant Program might have what you need.

Metro Waste Authority is now accepting applications for its competitive grant program, where recipients can receive up to $2,500 for their projects. Applications must be submitted by June 8. Grant winners will be notified by June 29. For details on eligibility and information on how to apply, visit the CompetitiveGrant Program on our website.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Event Recycling Stands Available to Check Out

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Keep Recyclables Out of Trash Containers at Next Event

There are a lot of details to consider when planning an event of any size. And, at first glance, it can seem overwhelming to add recycling to your to-do list, but Metro Waste Authority wants to help keep your beverage containers from winding up in the landfill.

Reserve Recycling Stands
Metro Waste Authority offers “free” event recycling stands, which can be reserved with a fully refundable deposit if they are returned clean and in reusable condition. The stands keep beverage containers out of the trash and events free from litter.

Metro Waste Authority has tips to help event planners collect and recycling beverage containers.

Also Available
Trash Containers can be purchased to reduce recycling contamination and littering.

Clean-up Supplies can be checked out at no charge with a fully refundable deposit when items are returned clean and reusable. Litter grabbers, gloves and garbage bags are among some of the equipment that makes post-event clean up simple.

Environmental Impact Award Winners Announced

Metro Waste Authority — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

2012 Environmental Impact Awards

Luncheon Honoring Winners
The Center on Sustainable Communities, Metro Waste Authority, and Greater Des Moines Partnership will honor five organizations and one individual with Environmental Impact Awards at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.The awards program will take place at the Des Moines Botanical Center, from 11:30a.m. – 1 p.m., sponsored by Des Moines Water Works.

The Environmental Impact Awards were established to recognize organizations and leaders who exemplify environmentally sustainable practices. Awards will be given to individuals, businesses, community organizations, and for the built environment.

The 2012 Award Winners are:

Built Environment Category (presented by Center on Sustainable Communities)
- Commercial: City of West Des Moines for the Historic City Hall Renovation in Valley Junction
- Residential: Sun Prairie Apartments
Business Category (presented by Greater Des Moines Partnership)
- Small Business: Strategic America
- Large Business: Kum & Go
Individual and Civic Category (presented by Metro Waste Authority)
- Individual: Pat Boddy
- Civic: Des Moines Bicycle Collective

Tickets for the luncheon are $25 per person and registration is available online at www.icosc.com.

Compost Vs. Fertilizer

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A Natural (Recycled) Alternative to Lawn & Garden Chemicals

When you put your yard waste on the curb, it gets “recycled” at our Metro Compost Center. The grass clippings, leaves, branches and yard waste bags heat up to 140 degrees – hot enough to kill weed seeds. After several months, it’s ground up and resold as Turf Gold Premium Compost – created by residents for residents.

Here's before and after photos of a Soil-Tek project, using its Terraseeding method.
Soil-Tek is one of many local firms using Turf Gold Compost.

What is Compost?
Compost is an organic matter with the unique ability to improve the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of soils. It contains plant nutrients, but is not characterized as a fertilizer. Just as green cleaning products are a “natural” alternative, our compost is an alternative to fertilizers containing hazardous and toxic chemicals.

Compost Solutions & Uses

Prevents erosion
Controls weeds
Alternative to mulch
Mix with potting soil
Use on planting beds, around trees and shrubs

Buying Turf Gold
Metro Waste Authority partners with local landscaping stores to sell Turf Gold to residents. Find the nearest location to you. Don’t see your neighborhood store listed? Ask them to call us and learn how they can purchase it in bulk quantities and make it available to you.

Turf Gold Properties
All compost is not created equal. What goes in must come out. Our compost facility is permitted by the DNR to accept yard and garden waste and continues to provide consistent, quality results – meeting the U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance. Here’s what to look for:

Stability Level – Turf Gold = Very Stable
For most projects, stable to very stable ratings are ideal to enhance oxygen availability in the soil.
Neutral pH level –Turf Gold = 7.50
pH is the measure of compost’s acidity. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 indicating neutrality.
Maturity Indicator – Turf Gold = 100%
Also known as the Cucumber test, as they germinate cucumber seeds in high concentration to measure toxic effects. Values above 80% are indicative of well-cured compost. They use cucumbers because they are salt tolerant and very sensitive to ammonia and organic acid toxicity.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Dispose of Tires for Free

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Community Tire Drop-Offs are Planned,
So Mark Your Calendar

When it’s time to buy new tires, treat your old tires as well as they've treated you – by disposing of them properly. Dumping and stockpiling used tires can create serious health and safety risks. In Iowa, it’s illegal to dump tires, and non-shredded tires are banned from landfills. Metro Waste Authority and several communities in the metro-area offer an annual opportunity to help residents dispose of old tires legally and free of charge.

Reference the chart below to see when your community is holding its upcoming tire collection.

COMMUNITY	DROP-OFF LOCATION	DATE	TIMES
Altoona	406 Fifth Ave. SW	April 21	6 a.m.-Noon
Ankeny	1220 NW Prairie Ridge Dr.	May 19-20	8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bondurant	306 Blaine St.	April 14	8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Carlisle	645 Railroad	May 4-5	7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Clive	Please contact the City of Clive for details. 223-6220
Des Moines	See City of Des Moines SCRUB Calendar or call 283-4950.
Grimes	901 NE Main St.	May 19	7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Johnston	6400 NW Beaver Dr.	April 27-28	7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Mitchellville	201 Cotton Ave. NW	May 19	9 a.m.-Noon
Norwalk	2626 North Ave.	May 5	7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Pleasant Hill	5151 Maple Dr.	April 28	8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Polk City	301 East Northside Dr.	May 19	8 a.m.-Noon
Urbandale	9401 Hickman Rd.	April 23-30	7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
West Des Moines	560 S. 16th St.	April 21	7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Regulations
Each household can drop off a maximum of five scrap tires with the rims removed. In special situations where a household may have more than five tires, please contact Metro Waste Authority to be considered for an exemption. This program does NOT ACCEPT the following types of tires at the collection site:

Scrap tires generated by any business
Farm or tractor tires
Solid tires such as lawnmower, forklift or golf car tires
Bicycle tires

Year-Round Drop-Off
MWA also encourages directly recycling your tires at:

Liberty Tire Recycling
1914 E Euclid Ave # A, Des Moines
(515) 262-4900

MWA has year-round drop-off containers at the locations listed below for a fee.

Tires	Fees
Passenger/SUV/Trucks	$3/tire
Semi & Large Trucks	$10/tire
Farm	$30/tire
Commercial loads	$300/ton

Metro Park East Landfill
12181 NE University Ave
(10 miles east of the Iowa Sate Fairgrounds on Highway 163)
Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (April-October: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Metro Hazarous Waste Drop-Off in Bondurant
1105 Prairie Drive SW (Highway 65)
Tuesday-Friday: 1 to 5 p.m.
Saturdays (first and third of every month): 8 a.m. to Noon (June-August: every Saturday)

Metro Park West in Perry
2499 – 337th St.
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to Noon

Metro Recycling Center in Des Moines
1817 E. Euclid
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

2012 MWA Annual Dinner

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You are Invited to Attend the 2012 MWA Annual Dinner

Our annual dinner is scheduled for April 18 and you are invited to attend. Yellowstone National Park Ranger Jim Evanoff is the keynote speaker. His presentation will focus on the park's 139 year history and also highlight Ranger Evanoff's 30+ years as a ranger in our national park system. Online registration is open and the deadline is April 10.

>> Register Online Now

See below for more details.

Clean Out Your House by March 31

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

West Side Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs

March 31, Johnston Public Works, 6400 NW Beaver
May 12, Waukee Middle School, 560 SE University Ave.
June 30, Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, 4440 Mills Civic Parkway
Oct. 27, Clive Aquatics Center, 1801 NW 114th St.

Latex paint, electronic waste and pharmaceuticals are NOT accepted at these events. You can find a complete list of accepted and not accepted items and other drop off dates scheduled in nearby suburbs on our website.

Year-Round Drop-Off
The Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off is open year-round to the public and accepts up to 75 lbs. of hazardous waste from residents per visit for free (with some exclusions). A $1/lb. is assessed above 75 lbs.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Got Plans for Earth Day?

Metro Waste Authority — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Over 1,300 Volunteers Needed for
Spring Clean-Up on April 20
Metro Waste Authority and the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines and Clive, Polk County Conservation, Ingersoll Business District, Water Works and the Department of Natural Resources invite citizens to join them in recognizing Earth Day with the Annual Earth Day Trash Bash – a clean-up event to give the metro area and its parks a fresh start to the spring season from 11:30 to 5 p.m., April 20 (Rain Date April 23).

What You'll Do
Volunteers are needed to clear away winter debris, remove invasive species to improve wildlife habitat, clean up litter and beautify our parks, trails, cemeteries and other public spaces in our community – all of which improves Iowa’s waterways. Clean up efforts have expanded to include more than 50 locations around the metro. While mostly collaborative in nature, this event will allow for some friendly competition – all to benefit and beautify our downtown. Businesses are encouraged to form teams and compete in the Trash Bash Challenge, where teams can win for tweet photos (#TrashBash2012) for categories such as "most unusual item found" and "team spirit."

Register by March 30
Teams must register online www.dmparks.org by Friday March 30. Supplies are provided for all volunteers, as well as lunch from Big City Burgers and Greens. Questions about registration call 515-248-6380 or email trashbash@dmgov.org for more information.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Earth Day Trash Bash is only successful through the support of sponsors. 2012’s Diamond Sponsors include: City of Des Moines, Big City Burgers and Greens and Waste Management. If your company would like to volunteer or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, call Callie Le'au Courtright at 515-248-6380 or email trashbash@dmgov.org for more information.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

BY POPULAR DEMAND! Yard & Garden Waste Collection Starting 2 Weeks Early!

Metro Waste Authority — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

2012 Compost It! Season
NOW MARCH 19 through November 30
With the unseasonably warm temperatures, metro area residents are working in their yards and gardens in full force, resulting in the accumulation of yard waste in back yards and driveways. In direct response to that, Metro Waste Authority, in collaboration with our collection partners, has geared up collect yard waste two weeks earlier than planned – now set to begin on March 19, instead of April 2.

Will you use a cart, bags, stickers or all three?
Most metro cities partner to offer residents curbside yard waste collection (the city of Des Moines offers year-round service). Yard waste was banned from Iowa landfills by the State Legislature in 1989, preventing residents from throwing their grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris in the trash.

Collection & Placement Yard and garden waste is collected weekly at the curb on your regular garbage collection day. Yard waste bags or carts (see chart to see if your city participates)must be placed at least three feet apart from other trash and recycling carts..

Bag & Sticker Service Yard & garden waste can be recycled one of three easy ways:

Compost It! bags: No sticker required. $7.75 for a bundle of five ($1.55 per bag)
Generic or store-brand bags: Compost It! sticker required for each bag ($1.15 per sticker)
Brush bundles: Compost It! sticker attached to each bundle $1.15 per sticker

Bags and stickers are sold at these participating stores.

Cart Service A 96-gallon cart on wheels makes it even more convenient for residents to pick up yard and garden waste and transport it to the curb.

First-time participants must enroll at their city hall or public works to purchase or rent a cart, and pay $103 for the annual sticker fee.

Renewal of cart service can be done online or with your city hall.

Excess Yard Waste: Residents with excess waste can purchase bags or stickers and place the bags or stickered bundles at the curb with their cart.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Gather a Group and Clean Up Your Community

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Use our Equipment & Make Clean Up Simpler, Safer and Less Messy

It’s time for spring cleaning, so while you’re at it, why don’t you grab a group of neighbors or colleagues and spruce up your neighborhood or local park? Metro Waste Authority offers free clean up supplies to those who want to pick up litter and make their community a little brighter. The group effort is a great way to meet new people and promote a sense of pride in your neighborhood. When an area is clean, people are less likely to litter.

Supplies Available
Safety vests, litter grabbers, garbage bags, leather gloves, and duffle bags for carrying the equipment are available free of charge.

Clean Up Locations
In the past, community groups have used the supplies to clean up neighborhoods, playgrounds, creeks, walking trails, parks and events, but there are an infinite number of places in need of some TLC.

Reserve Equipment
Simply complete and return this form to request use of our clean up supplies. A deposit is required, but it will be fully refunded when items are returned clean and in useable condition.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Ever Wonder What Happens to the Stuff You Recycle? Take a Tour and Find Out.

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Times & Dates for Tours are Set for 2012 - Get Signed Up Today!

Metro Waste Authority invites residents to participate in a tour of Greenstar Recycling, a processing facility that sorts recyclable products. In fact, if you participate in the Curb It! program, this is where all of your recycled materials are taken.

The 411 On Curb It!
Curb It! makes residential recycling easy. Over the last 15 years, 350,000 tons of materials were kept out of the landfill and recycled instead (this is equivalent to nearly 70,000 garbage trucks!). Accepted recyclable products are tossed in a green cart, rolled to the curb and then emptied by a hauler who transports the materials to Greenstar Recycling. After arriving at Greenstar, the stuff is sorted using mechanical processes, technology and people. Once recyclables are separated, they are sold for reuse. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to all the stuff you recycle once it leaves your curb, then this is your chance to see for yourself!

2012 Tour Days and Times
Tours are free of charge, but please pre-register online.

March 27 at 11:00 a.m.
May 22 at 11:00 a.m.
July 10 at 11:00 a.m.
September 25 at 11:00 a.m.

*We recommend wearing casual clothes with closed-toed shoes. The facility has many large, open doors so it is best to dress weather appropriate. We hope to see you there!

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Paint: You've Stored it, Now You Want it Gone

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Dispose of Paint the Safe, Smart Way

Where it should go depends on what type of paint you have . Oil- and lead-based paints are considered hazardous and you can dispose of them at our year-round hazardous waste drop-off, the Regional Collection Center, or by driving through a Drop-off Event this spring.

Now latex paint is a different story. It’s NOT hazardous, so you have some options:

Dry it out and throw in the trash. You can do this by mixing in kitty litter, sand or shredded paper and leaving the lid off. Once dry, throw it away with the lid off.
See if Habitat ReStore needs some of that particular color and donate it.
Bring it to Metro Waste Authority’s year-round drop-off for $1/gallon.

Year-Round Drop-off
Residents can drop off oil- and lead-based paints (up to 75 lbs per visit) for free. A $1/lb is assessed above the 75 lbs. We also accept many other types of household hazardous waste. Learn more. We encourage using best practices to limit the amount you purchase, so you don’t have large quantities left over. This can be tricky, so ask at the paint store for advice.

Drop-off Events
Staring in March, you can drop off oil- and lead-based paints at one of our four Drop-off Events. The first one is in Johnston, then three more in Waukee, West Des Moines and Clive. Visit online for dates, locations and what’s accepted.

Sorry, latex paint is not accepted at these events.

For more information, visit us at www.MWAtoday.com or call 515.224.0021.

Wheel Your Yard Waste to the Curb this Spring

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Headline: Online Renewal Available or Learn How to Sign Up at Your City Hall

Yard and garden waste curbside collection starts April 2, but residents are renewing their Compost It! Cart subscription now. Even if you’re not participating, keep reading. If you know all about it, then renew your sticker today.

Participating cities are listed in the chart.
NOTE: The City of Des Moines participates, but offers year-round service. Learn more on the City of Des Moines website.

TWO OPTIONS
Residents in participating cities can get rid of yard waste (which is banned from the landfill) right at their curb with two easy options:

Bags & Stickers

Just buy a Metro Waste Authority Compost It! bag, fill it with yard and garden waste and set out on your curb on garbage day.
Or buy a green Compost It! sticker to attach to a generic or store-brand bag.
You also need the stickers for brush bundles.Make sure to bunch them so they are easily collected by keeping them under 40 pounds and less than 18 inches around.

Wheeled Carts

It’s just like your trash cart with wheels, but you can fill it with leaves, grass clippings, twigs and garden waste
The cart holds up to three bags of yard waste
You can wheel it to the curb to avoid hauling wet, icky bags
Sign up by calling your local city hall NOTE: First-time participants must sign up through city hall or public works to purchase or rent yard waste carts and then pay the annual sticker fee of $103.

For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.

Are You Recycling All the Paper Products You Can?

Metro Waste Authority — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Junk Mail, Food Boxes, Cardboard, Glossy Magazines & More

Did you know 10 percent of materials that end up in the landfill from your home are recyclable paper products? We all know newspapers are recyclable, but did you know you can also recycle many other paper products in your green Curb it! cart, including:

Magazines
Most mail, including envelopes with plastic windows
Newspapers along with the advertisements and inserts
Boxes of nearly any kind, including shoe boxes, cereal, pop, mac-n-cheese boxes, and merchandise boxes. Just be sure the Styrofoam and plastic packaging from inside the boxes are removed and put in the trash.
Paper sacks
Cardboard

Watch the new Metro Waste commercial to see what you can recycle.

Shredded paper can also be recycled, but requires a little more attention. It must be in a paper sack, pop can box, or cardboard box – never a plastic bag. If shredded paper isn’t enclosed in something, or is in a plastic bag, it ends up in the landfill. The sorting machines can’t capture the small shredded pieces and plastic bags – empty or full – are immediately pulled off of the recycling belt by hand to prevent equipment damage. Also, be sure to fold down the paper sack or close the box of shredded paper. You can even tape or staple it shut. Now it’s ready to be tossed in your recycling cart.

For more on what is accepted and not accepted in your Curb It! recycling cart, visit us at www.MWAtoday.com/curbit or call 515.224.0021.

Valentine’s Day the Green Way

Metro Waste Authority — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Going GREEN on Valentine’s Day Will Win Their Hearts

We’re talking about green ideas rather than the actual color. Read on and see how you can make this year’s Valentine’s Day unforgettable, inexpensive and, oh yeah, rockin’ green!

Skip the Card ~ Standing in the greeting card aisle for 20 minutes doesn't show anyone you love them. Instead opt for a hand-written letter or poem on recycled paper. Or better yet, create a long list of all the things you love about the person. Everyone from your children to your friends, parents and partners will appreciate the extra thought and personal touch much more than a store bought card.

Buy a Potted Live Plant ~ Roses are often the staple to this holiday. Unfortunately, most roses are grown under unfair working conditions and in poisonous greenhouses. Nearly 650 million roses each year are imported into the U.S. from greenhouses in Ecuador. A live plant will live so much longer than a dozen red roses and cost a fraction of the price. As an extra bonus, a live plant will detox indoor air quality, making it a healthier gift.

Make a Romantic Music CD ~ Do they drive to work? Do they run with their iPod? Make a collection of meaningful songs for their iPod or record them on a CD. Include songs that make them think of you, songs that make them run faster, songs that put a smile on their faces when they drive to work, and songs that make them want to come home faster to you!

Eat in Instead of Going to a Restaurant ~ A homemade, homegrown, local and/or organic meal is a great alternative to eating out. Organic wine is an easy find. Using beeswax candles will add the romantic touch without breathing the fumes.

Give Her or Him a Massage ~ There’s nothing more romantic, inexpensive (and green) than a massage from you. Dim the lights, get out the soy candles and the essential oil. Spend quality time kneading out those nasty knots from your partner’s tense muscles and then, if you are lucky, your partner will do the same for you!

Plant a Tree ~ It might not seem romantic at first, but having a tree planted in your sweetheart’s name can be a beautiful gift. Sell it with “as the tree grows so does our love” and you have the makings of an incredibly romantic gift that also helps the earth. You can buy a tree from a local nursery to plant yourself and tie it off with a green bow or hire a tree service to plant one for you.

Make it Yourself ~ Of course the best gift you could give is something that you made yourself. Skip all the fancy packaging and put something together with your own two hands. It often makes it the more eco-friendly option. How about self-painted pottery, a photograph you took, hand-knitted socks or a simple sketch or painting? The gifts we treasure most are always the ones from the heart!

Spending quality time together is really what Valentine’s Day is about, isn’t it? Make it memorable and “green.”

Sources: sustainablebabysteps.com; greenlivingideas.com; theenvironmentalblog.org; ecobites.com

For more information visit us at www.MWAtoday.com or call us at 515.244.0021

2012 Home and Garden Show

Metro Waste Authority — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

MWA Goes to the Home and Garden Show!
Feb. 9-12 at the Iowa Events Center >> MORE DETAILS

If you’ve ever attended the Home and Garden Show, you know about the many exhibitors with great ideas on how to improve your home, whether it’s building a beautiful new kitchen or bathroom or constructing the landscaping project of your dreams.

Visit Booth 814 for Safe, Smart Disposal and Recycling Options
Metro Waste Authority can’t help you with those things, but we are the experts when it comes to helping you get rid of things the safe and smart way. Hazardous products are all around our homes. But do you know how to dispose of these products? These items aren’t your regular trash! We’ve got the answers to these questions and many more. Stop by booth 814 to learn safe, smart disposal and recycling options.

Benefits of Compost & Yard Waste Recycling
We also know compost. Compost is a perfect top dressing for your lawn and garden instead of lawn fertilizers (a hazardous product). Metro Waste Authority has information on how to use our compost and where you can purchase it to enhance your soil.

And where does compost come from, anyway? Metro Waste Authority needs that yard and garden waste (leaves, grass, twigs and such) that you don’t want to make Turf Gold Premium Compost. We can explain the choices for yard waste recycling – stop by and see us!

For more information, visit us at www.MWAtoday.com or call 224.0021.

Metro Waste Authority Thanked for Retrieving iPhone

Metro Waste Authority — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Metro Waste Authority and Waste Management received kudos from the Peterson family of Waukee for helping to retrieve their accidentally discarded iPhone. Using the "Find my iPhone" app, the Petersons were able to determine the phone had ended up in the garbage and was now traveling around the neighbor in the garbage truck.

The Petersons phoned Brent Klaassen, driver for Waste Management, and Metro Waste Authority's landfill in Perry. Both agreed to help them retrieve the phone.

The load was dumped separately from other garbage and within minutes Metro Waste Authority's and Waste Management's employees were able to find it. The phone was still in working order, but wtih a few more scratches and a little bend to it. The Petersons kindly wrote Metro Waste Authority and Waste Management to thank them for their top notch customer service.