Metro Waste Authority tells Windsor Heights council lithium batteries are triggering more fires, outlines recycling and energy projects

Mark, a Metro Waste Authority representative, told the Windsor Heights City Council on May 4 that Metro’s East landfill at Mitchellville is by far the region’s largest facility and handles roughly 3,500 tons daily, while its newer Grimes recycling center processes hundreds of tons and uses robotics and optical sorters. He said the Metro system now manages curbside services for about 109,000 homes and operates transfer stations, hazardous-waste drop-offs and bottle redemption centers.

Why it matters: Mark said Metro is seeing a sharp rise in facility fires that staff trace mostly to discarded lithium batteries. He said the authority recorded eight significant fires in 2024, 21 in 2025 and nine so far in 2026, and urged residents to use Metro’s battery-collection boxes. “What’s starting the majority of these fires? Lithium batteries,” he said, adding that cells can combust in curbside carts and when run over by trucks. The authority has programs to expand hazardous-waste drop-offs and a new houseside red-bin pickup service for hazardous items planned in the next six months.

Operational highlights: Metro’s East landfill, said Mark, accepts thousands of tons daily and is permitted through about 2080; Metro owns about 2,000 acres in that area. The Grimes recycling facility is a roughly 100,000-square-foot, high-tech plant that has added robots and optical sorters; Metro also runs a composting operation at Metro Park East that it intends to certify organic this year and sell in private-label bags at local retailers.

Planned capital work and energy project: Mark described three major upcoming capital priorities: an in-house wastewater treatment plant to handle liquids from the waste stream; a new, larger maintenance facility (estimates mentioned in the presentation were in the tens of millions); and a landfill-gas microturbine project in Perry that would generate electricity from landfill gas. With partial grants from the state DNR and IEDA and local funding the microturbine would power roughly half of the Perry facility’s needs, with the rest sold to the grid. Mark said the pilot turbine has a short projected payback and could be the first of several units.

Council response and local partnerships: Councilmembers thanked Metro for education programs and neighborhood events (noting Windsor Heights’ leadership on battery education outreach and a mascot program called Sparky). Council members asked for comparative recycling rates for Windsor Heights versus neighboring cities; staff promised to provide per-city numbers from board reports.

What’s next: Metro will roll out an expanded houseside hazardous-waste service in the coming six months and continue outreach on battery collection. The authority encouraged council and residents to visit their facilities and sign up for tours.