Metro Park East Landfill (Des Moines Area): Flat Rates, Per-Ton Fees and Hours

Location and hours

Per the Metro Park East page, the landfill is at 12181 NE University Ave., Mitchellville, IA 50169, 515-967-2076. Hours are Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. from April 1 to October 31 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from November 1 to March 31. Closed on major holidays.

Checked October 2026. Hours, fees, residency rules and accepted items change, sometimes with little notice. Call the site or check its official page before you load up.

Small vehicles (under 6,000 pounds)

From the Metro Waste Authority rates page:

• Car (load under 200 pounds): $12
• Van or SUV: $17
• Large SUV, truck or trailer: $22

Large vehicles and other materials

• Residential garbage: $40 per ton ($22 minimum)
• Commercial garbage and C&D: $44 per ton ($22 minimum)
• Yard waste: $30 per ton ($22 minimum)
• Bulky waste over 6 feet long and 18 inches across: $78 per ton
• Appliances (fridges with doors removed, ranges, water heaters, washers and more): $22 residential
• CRT TVs and monitors: $30 (39 inches or smaller), $40 (40 inches or larger)
• Tires: $10 small, $20 large, $40 extra large
• Mixed recyclables: free

Loads with more than one material type are charged the highest applicable rate. Payment is due at the time of service: cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. Estimate with the dump fee calculator.

Tips

• Keep yard waste out of the trash load, or the whole load pays the higher rate.
• Take fridge and freezer doors off before you arrive.
• Tarp the load. See tarping an open bed.

Metro Park East Landfill (Des Moines Area) FAQ

How much does the Des Moines landfill cost?

At Metro Park East, $12 for a car load under 200 pounds, $17 for a van or SUV, and $22 for a large SUV, truck or trailer. Larger vehicles pay $40 per ton for residential garbage.

What are Metro Park East Landfill hours?

Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in spring and summer, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in fall and winter.

How much to dump a refrigerator?

$22 for residential appliances. Remove the doors from fridges and freezers.

How much to dump a TV?

CRT TVs are $30 for 39 inches or smaller and $40 for 40 inches or larger.

What if my load has trash and yard waste?

Mixed loads are charged the highest applicable rate.

The bottom line

Most household trips cost $12 to $22. Keep materials separate. See recycling an old television.

Gear for your dump run

Affiliate disclosure: The links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Dumpmapper earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We don't list prices or ratings here because they change. Check them on Amazon.

• AmazonCommercial heavy-duty 16-mil poly tarp: Covers the load so nothing blows out on the highway, and helps you avoid the uncovered-load fee many sites charge.
• Rhino USA 1-inch ratchet tie-down straps (4-pack): Holds the tarp and bulky items like furniture in place in a pickup bed or trailer.
• Wells Lamont 3300 leather-palm work gloves: Most drop-off sites are self-unload, so protect your hands from splinters, nails and sharp edges.