Divert it and convert it
One of the nation’s premiere materials exchange programs.
FIND YOUR AREA RESOURCE SPECIALIST
NO-COST
NON-REGULATORY
CONFIDENTIAL
Why a Materials Exchange in Iowa?
There are two big reasons why the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) is important for Iowa. First, our landfills are overcrowded, and reducing waste load is good for the planet. Second, there’s a huge market for waste materials and by-products — and exchanging waste materials is good for your bottom line.
Participants can:
- Obtain low- or no-cost materials
- Reduce disposal costs
- Reduce materials’ purchase costs
- Generate revenue from waste materials
- Free up storage space
- Help divert waste from our landfills
4.5 MILLION
tons of material material diverted since 1990
87,360
companies helped by IWE reps
$142 MILLION
cost savings since program inception
Whether you want to list available materials, find items for reuse or learn more about our services from a regional specialist, IWE is your confidential partner in responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.
When you divert it and convert it with the IWE, nothing goes to waste!
Learn more about what we do
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Save disposal costs, free up space and get questions answered.
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Learn about education programs, free waste audits and more.
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Iowa Waste Exchange Success Stories
Commerce. Collaboration. Creativity. There’s much more to materials waste exchange than meets the eye. Read about some of IWE’s recent exchanges and see how everyone wins.
DNR Expands Food Waste Diversion Efforts: Iowa Waste Exchange Ready to Help
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The Drive-by that Drove Change: A Student's Quick Action Sparked a Waste Diversion Win
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Iowa Waste Exchange Assists North Liberty Community Pantry in Relocation Usable Equipment to Local Nonprofits
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Exploring Waste Reduction Solutions for Colleges
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Stay Connected with Iowa Waste Exchange
Recent news, newsletter, social media and more are great ways to keep up with all IWE-related goings on.
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Iowa Waste Exchange
(opens in a new tab)Proudly serving the entire State of Iowa.
🎃 PUMPKINS, SECOND CHANCES & THE ART OF NOT WASTING! ♻️Halloween is tomorrow! don't let your jack-o’-lantern’s story tragically end in a landfill! 👻🍂 Give your gourd a new beginning:🎃 Compost it! Chop your pumpkin into smaller pieces and add it to your compost pile with dry leaves to help return organic matter to the soil.🐐 Share the harvest! Contact a local farm to see if they accept pumpkins for livestock feed.🧙 Reuse the spooky stuff! Save costumes, decorations, baskets, and craft supplies for next Halloween. Your wallet will thank you!♻️ The Iowa Waste Exchange helps businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations find opportunities to reuse surplus materials and keep valuable resources in circulation. Do you have surplus or need supplies? Contact your Area Resource Specialist at www.iowawasteexchange.org🎃 Our challenge to you: Before tossing something into the trash, ask yourself, Could this become a resource for someone else?Because at the Iowa Waste Exchange, waste isn’t waste until you waste it!
Today we are at Prairie Meadows at the Iowa LEAN Consortium conference. What fun Lindsey is having meeting-and-greeting new faces.
Waste diversion starts with smart design and planning—and everyone has a role to play!Iowa Waste Exchange’s Lindsey Given-Egli and Rebecca Kauten exhibited and presented at Great Connections 2026, October 14–15 at Hotel Julien Dubuque. The regional conference brought together planners, engineers, field technicians, contractors and regulatory officials to share practical approaches to sustainable development. IWE’s waste diversion strategies resonated across professions, with attendees from outside Iowa impressed by the resources our state offers.The undergraduate and graduate students pictured received scholarships to attend, helping the next generation of professionals build knowledge and connections to carry this work forward.#IowaWasteExchange #GreatConnections26
05
Nov
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
“One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure” highlights how the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) is redefining what’s possible for surplus materials across the state
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08
Oct
Iowa Waste Exchange sees recycling challenges shift
Tackling the next generation of recycling challenges head-on as material streams shift and new, complex waste items emerge
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