Recycling & Disposal Guide
Appliances
Appliances include refrigerators, freezers, kitchen ranges, air conditioning units, furnaces, and the like. State law prohibits landfill disposal of discarded appliances due to hazardous materials, and they must instead be demanufactured by a facility authorized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Used applicants can be dropped at the Boone County Landfill during regular hours, with fees noted on our website. For more information on appliance recycling in Iowa, including a list of facilities where items can be taken directly, visit the Iowa DNR website.
Asbestos
Waste containing asbestos is a highly regulated material. Asbestos-containing waste is regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and all material with asbestos must be unloaded with a landfill load inspector present. Fees can be found on our website.
Boone County Landfill Asbestos Policy
Batteries
Please note that alkaline non-rechargable household batteries are considered non-hazardous and can be placed with your regular garbage. Lead-acid and rechargeable batteries are banned from landfill disposal in Iowa, but there are convenient disposal opportunities including:
- Retailers/Dealers: Battery retail or repair shops may handle your old battery.
- Vehicle Batteries: The Boone County Landfill accepts used vehicle batteries within its primary service area free-of-charge.
- Rechargeable: Retailers may recycle rechargeable batteries free of charge. For more details, visit Call2Recycle or call 1-800-822-8837. The hazardous waste satellite facility also accepts rechargeable batteries free of charge.
Drugs & Sharps
Proper disposal of old medications and sharps/needles is important. Old medicine should not be flushed down drains. A prescription drug drop-off box can be found at the Boone County Sheriff's Office. The Boone County Landfill provides free disposal of sharps/needles during its normal business hours.
Hazardous Waste
The Boone County Landfill partners with Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines to provide an extensive program for hazardous waste. To drop off hazardous waste visit the landfill the first Saturday of each month between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m, with no appointment necessary between April and November. Additional options:
- Call the Landfill at 515-433-0591 to schedule an appointment Monday - Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Watch for free mobile events posted to the Boone County calendar or our Facebook page.
- The Regional Collection Center in Bondurant, operated by Metro Waste Authority, is open to the public for household hazardous waste dropoffs.
Accepted household waste items include: Aerosol cleaners, paints; ammonia-based cleaners; antifreeze; rechargeable batteries; fertilizers; gasoline; kerosene; oil, lead-based paint; stains, varnishes; metal polishes, rust removers; thermometers/thermostats (mercury); pesticides; petroleum adhesives; used oil filters.
Not accepted: Ammunition, asbestos, electronics, explosives, fire extinguishers, latex paint, medications, propane tanks/cylinders, and radioactive materials.
- To dispose of latex paint, dry it out, and it's regular garbage!
Tires
State law prohibits landfill disposal of whole tires, but the Boone County Landfill accepts used tires at a designated storage area on the landfill property. Fees can be found on our website. Properly-discarded tires are recycled into a number of different products including new rubber products, playground surfacing, running tracks, and tire-derived-fuel for power plants.
Special Waste
Special waste, including things like grit and bar screenings from pollution control facilities, incinerator ashes from research facilities, and sandblasting waste. To be accepted at the Boone County landfill, a completed Iowa DNR Special Waste Authorization Request form must be completed. Fees are charged at the applicable rate for municipal solid waste, unless asbestos is present, in which case separate fees apply. Please reach out to the landfill at 515-433-0591 if you have any questions.
