Report on the City of Des Moines’ MEGA SCRUB Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The City of Des Moines Public Works Department is conducting its final MEGA SCRUB event for 2025, a comprehensive waste management initiative that directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program provides residents with a free and accessible method for the responsible disposal of bulk trash, electronic waste, and household hazardous materials, reinforcing the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and urban sustainability.

Event Details and Strategic Objectives

Final 2025 MEGA SCRUB Event

1. Date: Saturday, following the announcement on September 18, 2025
2. Time: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
3. Location: Bell Avenue Business Center

Scope of Services

The event offers an integrated approach to waste management, accepting a wide range of materials in a single location. Services include:

• Bulk trash drop-off (large appliances, furniture)
• Household hazardous waste disposal
• Paper shredding
• Electronic recycling

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The MEGA SCRUB program is a direct implementation of Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by improving municipal waste management. By providing a structured and free service for difficult-to-dispose-of items, Des Moines actively reduces illegal dumping, keeps neighborhoods clean, and enhances the overall quality of urban life for its 214,000 residents.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

This initiative strongly promotes Target 12.5, which calls for a substantial reduction in waste generation through recycling and prevention. The event facilitates the proper recycling of electronics and the safe disposal of hazardous chemicals, diverting significant waste from landfills. According to Public Works Director Jonathan Gano, the event is crucial for disposing of “used oil or old gas from cars and mowers, along with any paint or chemicals,” thereby fostering a circular economy and responsible consumption patterns among residents.

SDG 3, 6, 14 & 15: Health, Clean Water, and Ecosystem Protection

Proper disposal of hazardous waste is critical for achieving multiple interconnected SDGs. By preventing chemicals, batteries, and other toxic materials from entering soil and water systems, the program supports:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Reduces public exposure to hazardous substances.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Protects local water sources from chemical contamination.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): Safeguards aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems from pollution.

Operational Framework and Community Engagement

Logistical Coordination

The program’s popularity underscores a strong community commitment to sustainability. Despite potentially long lines, efficient management by staff and volunteers ensures rapid processing. Proof of residency is required to ensure services are provided to the target community.

Supplemental Waste Management Facilities

To further support city-wide waste management goals, specialized facilities operate concurrently:

• City’s Compost Center (1601 Harriet Street): Accepts yard waste and tree debris.
• Metro Central Transfer Station (4198 Delaware Avenue): Accepts other bulk trash items.

Regular monthly SCRUB events for bulk trash and yard waste will continue through November, ensuring ongoing support for the city’s sustainability objectives.

Accepted Household Hazardous Waste Materials

The following items, which pose a significant environmental and health risk if disposed of improperly, are accepted exclusively at MEGA SCRUB events, highlighting the program’s critical role in achieving environmental SDGs:

• Aerosols
• Acids/Bases
• Antifreeze
• Batteries (Rechargeable, button, car)
• Cell phones
• Cleaners and chemicals
• Fertilizers and Pesticides
• Gasoline, kerosene, and motor oil
• High-efficiency light bulbs (CFLs)
• Oil-based paints and stains
• Sharps (in approved containers)
• Thermostats/thermometers containing mercury

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article focuses on a city-led initiative, the “MEGA SCRUB,” organized by the Des Moines Public Works Department. This program is a direct city service aimed at improving the quality of life for its 214,000 residents by providing a means to manage waste effectively, keeping homes and neighborhoods “free of clutter.” This aligns with the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The event promotes the environmentally sound management of waste. By offering services like household hazardous waste disposal, electronic recycling, and paper shredding, the city is encouraging residents to adopt more sustainable disposal practices. This directly contributes to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns by managing the end-of-life of various products responsibly.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities

  By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The MEGA SCRUB event is a clear example of a municipal waste management program designed to reduce the negative environmental impact of a city. It provides a structured and free service for residents to dispose of bulk trash, electronics, and hazardous materials that might otherwise be improperly discarded.

• Target 12.4: Responsible management of chemicals and waste

  By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. The article explicitly lists numerous hazardous materials accepted at the event, such as used oil, old gas, paint, chemicals, batteries, pesticides, and roofing tar. Providing a dedicated collection point for these items is a direct action to ensure their environmentally sound management and prevent them from contaminating soil and water.

• Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

  By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The MEGA SCRUB event directly supports the “recycling” component of this target by offering “electronic recycling” and “paper shredding.” By diverting these materials, as well as yard waste sent to the “City’s Compost Center,” from landfills, the initiative contributes to the overall reduction of waste.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 11.6: Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities

  The article implies this indicator through its description of the comprehensive waste collection service. The event is a controlled facility for managing various types of waste. The statement that “We always have great turnouts for SCRUB and the lines can get long at times” suggests a high volume of waste is being collected and managed through this official city program. The number of participating residents and the total tonnage of waste collected would be direct measures.

• Indicator for Target 12.4: Proportion of hazardous waste treated or disposed of safely

  The detailed list of accepted hazardous items (aerosols, acids, antifreeze, batteries, paints, pesticides, etc.) implies a system for their safe treatment and disposal. The success of the event in collecting these specific materials could be measured by the volume or weight of each type of hazardous waste collected per event, which would serve as a proxy for the proportion of such waste being managed safely within the city.

• Indicator for Target 12.5: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

  The article explicitly mentions “electronic recycling” and “paper shredding” as services offered. A direct indicator of progress would be the quantity (in tons) of electronics and paper collected for recycling at these events. Furthermore, the collection of “yard waste or tree debris” for the “City’s Compost Center” also contributes to this, and the volume of composted material could be measured.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dsm.city