Metro Waste Authority warns of lithium-ion battery fires at landfills
By Abigail Kurten
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MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa (KCCI) — Improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries are causing a growing number of fires at Metro Waste Authority’s Metro East Landfill in Mitchellville, with crews recently battling a blaze for over 12 hours to extinguish it and prevent reignition.
“It’s a risk. It’s a risk to not only our facility, but also our staff,” said Kayla Burkett, Metro Waste Authority’s vice president of public affairs.
Burkett noted that the landfill experienced 21 fires in 2025, and halfway through this year, the number has already reached 20. She said nearly all of these fires can likely be traced back to lithium-ion batteries.
The problem isn’t that people are being careless with their disposal; it’s that many simply don’t know how common these batteries are in everyday objects. They’re in everything from phones and headphones to massage guns and power tools.
To address the issue, Metro Waste Authority hosts tours to educate the public about proper disposal methods.
More than 100 families recently attended to learn what happens to their garbage after it leaves the curb.
“They’re asking us when we go to events, they ask us questions. So I think it’s telling us that as long as we get the education to them and get the drop-offs available to them, they’re ready to do the right thing,” Burkett said.
The “right thing” involves taking lithium-ion batteries to designated drop-off sites to prevent fires.
“We’ve learned that most people want to do the right thing. It’s just a matter of understanding what is dangerous, what isn’t dangerous,” Burkett said.
Metro Waste Authority emphasizes that proper disposal of these batteries is a smart and simple choice that can save time, money, and lives.
Battery drop-off locations
Alleman: City Hall, 14000 NE 6th Street Altoona: City Hall, 900 Venbury Drive Ankeny: City Hall, 410 W. 1st Street NE — or — City Maintenance Facility, 211 SE Lorenz Drive Bondurant: City Hall, 200 2nd Street NE — or — Public Library, 104 2nd Street NE Clive: Public Safety Center, 8800 Hickman Road — or — Public Library, 1900 NW 114th Street Des Moines: Public Works, 1700 Maury Street — or — Central Library, 1000 Grand Avenue — or — Central Office, 300 E Locust Street Elkhart: City Hall, 260 NW Main Street Grimes: Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd. — or — City Hall, 101 NE Harvey Street — or — Community Complex, 410 SE Main Street — or — Metro Recycling Facility, 4185 SE Beisser Drive Johnston: Public Library, 6700 Merle Hay Road Mitchellville: City Hall, 204 Center Avenue N. Norwalk: Public Library, 1051 North Avenue Perry: Public Library, 1101 Willis Avenue Pleasant Hill: Public Library, 5151 Maple Drive Polk City: City Hall, 200 S. 4th Street Runnells: City Hall, 110 Brown Street Urbandale: Public Library, 3520 86th Street Waukee: City Hall, 230 W Hickman Road — or — Public Library, 950 Warrior Lane West Des Moines: Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy — or — Valley Junction Community Center, 217 5th Street — or — Public Services West, 8850 Grand Avenue Windsor Heights: City Hall, 1145 66th Street
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