Discarded Batteries Causing Fires in Des Moines Metro Landfills

Posted on March 26, 2026

As seen in Axios, by Linh Ta.

Discarded vapes, smartphones and electric toothbrushes are becoming some of the biggest hazards in the Des Moines metro's solid waste system, prompting fires and causing millions in damage.

Why it matters: Lithium batteries are increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives, but improper disposal of rechargeable devices can spark fires in landfills and garbage trucks.

State of play: In 2024, Metro Waste Authority (MWA) experienced eight fires at its facilities. Last year, that number jumped to 21 fires, and 2026 is on track to break 2025's count with seven fires already, Metro Waste Authority executive director Michael McCoy tells Axios.

• They can be expensive — in 2023, a fire forced the Grimes recycling facility to shut down, costing $2.5 million in losses while it was closed for over two months.
• Batteries also release toxic fumes, and the fires can put landfill workers and trash drivers at risk of injury.
• "If you can recharge it, it's a problem," says McCoy.

Zoom in: MWA says it can handle fires once they start; the bigger push now is preventing them.

• The agency is backing a rewrite of Iowa House File 726. The battery recycling bill would require battery manufacturers to provide funding for Iowa's solid waste agencies for lithium battery education, marketing, and collection.
• Other states, like Washington, Oregon, and California, have passed laws that require battery distributors to create a collection system, particularly for devices with embedded batteries.

The big picture: Last April, MWA started distributing battery bins around the metro for free disposal.

• Since then, MWA has collected 14,000 pounds of batteries and now has 29 drop-off locations across the metro.