Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
One of the largest landfill fires in metro history erupted hours after waste officials warned Des Moines leaders this month about their growing battle against improper battery disposal.
Why it matters: Unbeknownst to many residents, rechargeable devices such as vapes, smartphones and electric toothbrushes are turning household trash into fire hazards.
- Landfill fires — such as the 2012 fire in Iowa City that burned shredded tires for 18 days — expose workers to hazardous conditions and release harmful smoke from plastics, chemicals, electronics, and other materials, potentially threatening the health of nearby communities.
Driving the news: The May 4 fire broke out at the Metro Park East Landfill in Mitchellville just after dark.
- About a dozen Metro Waste Authority (MWA) employees fought the fire for about 12 hours in what CEO Michael McCoy tells Axios was the most widespread fire in his tenure and, likely, the agency's nearly 60-year history.
The intrigue: The fire followed a city meeting where the MWA highlighted the growing risks of improper battery disposal and the educational efforts it is making to curb the problem.
By the numbers: MWA recorded 21 fires across its facilities last year, nearly triple the 2024 total, and has recorded at least seven so far this year.
State of play: This year's legislative session concluded earlier this month, but MWA officials are already advocating that lawmakers revive broader battery-recycling system bills when they return next year.
- House File 726 and Senate File 2477 would require battery producers to develop and fund plans to collect and recycle batteries, subject to DNR approval and annual reporting.
The big picture: Battery stewardship bills have faced some opposition in states such as California and Washington, where they have become law, amid concerns about costs, compliance burdens and the potential to disrupt sales of battery-powered products.
Worthy of your time: These free metro-area battery drop-off sites.
What we're watching: Whether the issue sparks discussion on the 2026 campaign trail, before a new Legislature heads to the Capitol next year.