Recognition & Awards

2016

• Received the Governor's Excellence Award for the implementation of the flat-fill compaction method which saves valuable air space through increased compaction, improves heavy equipment efficiencies, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as annual expenses.
• Received "Best of Des Moines" distinction for Recycling and Waste Company from the Des Moines Business Record.

2015

• Winner of the SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) Silver Excellence Award in the Landfill Management Category.
• Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off recognized as Recycling Facility of the Year by the Iowa Recycling Association. 
• Earned the Innovative Project Award from the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operators (ISOSWO) for implementation of flat-fill method at Metro Park East Landfill.
• Earned the Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines.

2014

• Recognized by the American Forest & Paper Association for our innovative partnerships to promote increased paper recovery as the “Community Winner” in the Partnership Category for Paper Recycling Award.
• Earned the Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines.

2013

• Earned the Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines.
• Recognized as Outstanding Local Partner by the Iowa Urban and Community Forestry Council for efforts in promoting and enhancing the tree resources in Iowa. 

2012

• Earned the Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines.

2011

• The Des Moines Register’s Top Workplaces Award
• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines
• Solid Waste Association of North America Gold Award for Marketing Excellence for conversion of Curb It! residential recycling program from 5-sort to single stream
• Iowa Recycling Association Recycling Project of the Year for Asphalt Shingles Recycling

2010

• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines

2009

• Greater Des Moines Partnership business award for the “Best Kept Secret”
• Governor’s Volunteer Award for our litter control along Highway 163
• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company Runner-up by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines

2008

• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by Business Record’s Best of Des Moines

2007

• Solid Waste Association of North America Gold Award for Integrated Systems Excellence for all of Metro Waste Authority’s programs and services
• Better Business Bureau Integrity Award
• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company Runner-up by the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines

2006

• Keep Iowa Beautiful Award for support and service to the organization

2005

• Iowa Recycling Association Best Public Education Program Award for MWA’s education program on the expansion and 10-year anniversary program for Curb It!
• Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award for Rehab the Lab, Environmental Excellence Category
• Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award for Rehab the Lab, Waste Management Category
• Pollution Prevention Environmental Excellence Award by EPA Region 7, Honorable Mention for Rehab the Lab
• Innovative Waste Management Program Award by Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations for Rehab the Lab

2004

• Gold Award for Transfer Station Excellence by the Solid Waste Association of North America for the Metro Transfer Station
• Above and Beyond Service Recognition Certificate from the Governor for MWA’s Education Specialist
• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Award for Executive Director
• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by Business Record’s Best of Des Moines

2003

• Outstanding Solid Waste Management Program Award by the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations
• Best Recycling/Waste Management Company by Business Record’s Best of Des Moines
• Honorable Mention of Excellence to HLBK for MWA office by Iowa Chapter of American Institute of Architects
• Merit Award in Interiors to HLBK for MWA office by St. Louis Chapter of American Institute of Architecture and Central States Region
• Outstanding Environmental Protection Facility by Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations for the Metro Park East landfill

2002

• Solid Waste Association of North America  Gold Award for Landfill Management Excellence for the Metro Park East landfill
• Under the auspices of ICMA and USAID’s Resource Cities Program, MWA provided assistance in improving hazardous waste management practices in the city of Amman, Jordan

2001

• American Society of Civil Engineers Iowa Section’s Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Award in recognition of the Constructed Wetlands Leachate Treatment Facility
• American Society of Landscape Architects Merit Award for the Regional Collection Center Master Landscape Plan (Prairie and Constructed Wetlands)
• Best Public Education Campaign by Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations for the Iowa Tire Initiative
• Silver ADDY Award by Ad Pros of Des Moines for the Iowa Tire Initiative

2000

• Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award for Special Recognition in Water Quality for the Constructed Wetlands Leachate Treatment Facility
• Best Workplace Environment Award by Greater Des Moines Partnership for a business with less than 50 employees

1999

• SWANA Gold Award for Special Waste Management Excellence for MWA’s Regional Collection Center for Household Hazardous Waste