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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I Have Materials Available
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
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to advance statewide efforts to reduce food waste through its Increased Food Storage Capacity Grant Program.
Read More
The Drive-by that Drove Change: A Student's Quick Action Sparked a Waste Diversion Win
It all started with a simple drive down University Avenue in Ames, when Iowa State graduate student Elizabeth Ortiz spotted something that sparked an idea
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Iowa Waste Exchange Assists North Liberty Community Pantry in Relocation Usable Equipment to Local Nonprofits
When the North Liberty Community Pantry
began preparing to relocate, staff faced a
challenge familiar to many organizations—what to do with surplus equipment that was still in good condition but no longer needed.
Read More
Exploring Waste Reduction Solutions for Colleges
In February 2025, Sydney Eiselt, Area 3 Resource Specialist with the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE), was invited to speak at the Dubuque College Sustainability Coalition meeting
Read More
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
Proudly serving the entire State of Iowa.
⛳🌧️ Rain or shine, the tournament goes on—and so does the recycle and rescue mission!![]()
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The weather has been unpredictable, but the Iowa Waste Exchange crew was unstoppable sorting recyclables today at the Principal Charity Classic (after setting up a new tent - purchased because the old one blew away in the storm on Thursday.)![]()
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🍎 Blue Strike Environmental is working magic every night composting inedible food and with IWE assistance rescuing edible foods for distribution to non-profits assisting food insecure Iowans.![]()
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Even though we had to take a Mulligan due to the storms, it’s still all about sustainability 💪🌎.
♻️ Honor Recycling Heroes – Waste & Recycling Workers Week! ♻️![]()
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This week, we celebrate the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) Area Resource Specialists and all the recycling professionals who help keep valuable materials out of landfills. Through reuse, resource connections, and creative problem-solving, they turn one organization’s surplus into another’s opportunity—strengthening Iowa’s circular economy and protecting our natural resources.![]()
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📊 Did you know? Recycling and reuse support 681,000 U.S. jobs and generate $37.8 billion in wages each year.![]()
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💚 How you can help:![]()
• Thank your local recycling team.![]()
• Share a photo of your clean, sorted recyclables.![]()
• Encourage businesses to contact IWE for free waste diversion assistance.![]()
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Thank you to all our Recycling Heroes—we celebrate and honor you this week! 🌎♻️👏
♻️🏡 What a successful first event!![]()
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The Iowa Waste Exchange was proud to partner with the City of Robins for its first-ever Clean-Up Day, held following the community-wide garage sales. By working together, we helped give usable items a second chance instead of sending them to the landfill.![]()
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A huge thank you to our amazing partners who made this event possible:![]()
💙 New Covenant Bible Church![]()
🛋️ Central Furniture Rescue![]()
🔨 Habitat for Humanity ReStore![]()
👕 Goodwill of the Heartland![]()
💻 Midwest Electronic Recovery![]()
🚛 ABC Disposal Services![]()
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Together, we diverted more than 9,000 pounds of usable materials from Iowa landfills! 🎉♻️![]()
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Events like this show the power of community partnerships and how small actions can make a big impact. If you'd like to learn more about how the Iowa Waste Exchange can help connect businesses, organizations, and communities with sustainable reuse and recycling solutions, contact your local IWE Resource Speciali#iowawasteexchangeh#WasteReductionc#reuseR#recyclingc#communitypartnershipss#landfilldiversionrsion
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
Read More
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
Read More
Read all stories
