Discarded vapes, smartphones, and electric toothbrushes are sparking fires in the Des Moines metro’s landfills and recycling facilities, according to the Metro Waste Authority (MWA). The agency reported 21 fires in 2025, up from eight the year before, and seven fires already in 2026. One blaze at the Grimes recycling facility caused $2.5 million in losses and a two-month shutdown.
MWA says the main culprits are lithium batteries from rechargeable devices. To prevent more fires, residents are urged not to throw rechargeable items in the trash. Instead, drop them off for free at any of 29 MWA battery collection sites around the metro. Since launching the program last year, MWA has collected 14,000 pounds of batteries…