First Mega SCRUB of 2024 Will Offer Hazardous Waste Disposal and Electronic Recycling

Press Release

Des Moines, Iowa- Thursday, April 18, 2024 - This year's first Mega SCRUB - where Des Moines residents can get rid of bulk trash, household hazardous waste and other unwanted items for free - is set to take place this Saturday at Merle Hay Mall.

"The Mega SCRUB events are extremely popular with Des Moines residents," Public Works Director Jonathan Gano said. "It's a great opportunity to get rid those special types of items that can't be easily disposed of."

Mega SCRUB events differ from regular SCRUBs by offering an expanded list of accepted disposal items. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents can fill up roll-off dumpsters with bulk items, shred papers, offload old appliances and dispose of hazardous chemicals and tires for free with proof of residency.

Public Works has also added dedicated electronic recycling to their Mega SCRUB lineup this year.

"While we've always accepted TVs, computers and other bulk electronics, we'll now be recycling these items rather than sending them to the landfill where the reusable components would go to waste," Gano said.

Merle Hay Mall - which replaced Hoover High School as one of four Mega SCRUB sites in 2023 - is an easily-accessible location for residents to efficiently cycle through. Due to its popularity, attendees should expect a crowd.

"There can be a bit of a wait, but Public Works staff and neighborhood volunteers are generally able to keep lines moving quickly," said Gano.

The Public Works Department will also be hosting their regular monthly SCRUB events at the MWA Transfer Station (4198 Delaware Ave.) for bulk trash and at the City's Compost Center(1601 Harriet St.) for yard waste, both taking place Saturday (April 15) from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Proof of residency is required and will be accepted in the form of photo ID or a current utility bill with a Des Moines address.

A full calendar of this year's SCRUB events along with important SCRUB guidelines is available at DSM.city/SCRUB.

Additional items that are ONLY accepted at MEGA SCRUB Events are:

• Aerosols
• Acids/Bases
• Antifreeze
• Batteries: Rechargeable mercuric-oxide (button batteries), nickel cadmium (NiCd), lithium (Li), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or car batteries)
• Cell phones
• Cleaners, drain and liquid cleaners
• Fertilizers
• Floor care products
• Gasoline and kerosene
• Glues
• Light bulbs: high efficiency only: SFLs, ballast, high intensity discharge
• Motor oil
• Oil filters
• Oven cleaner
• Paints: Oil based only. NO LATEX!
• Petroleum-based adhesives
• Pesticides
• Poison
• Pool chemicals
• Roofing tar
• Rust removers
• Sharps: must be contained in detergent bottles or sharps containers (not milk jugs or pop bottles). Lids must also be taped.
• Shellac and stains
• Thermostats/thermometers

Contact
Debbie McClung
Chief Communications Officer, City Manager's Office
(515) 979-7831
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital city and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 49 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an alive and active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.
Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live in Des Moines.
Visit DSM.city, Facebook and Twitter for more information.

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