Divert it and convert it
One of the nation’s premiere materials exchange programs.
FIND YOUR AREA RESOURCE SPECIALIST
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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
Read More
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.
♻️ Close the Loop Iowa Grant Helps Reinbeck Prepare for RAGBRAI and Beyond 🚴♀️♻️![]()
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The Iowa Waste Exchange is proud to support the City of Reinbeck's efforts to expand recycling opportunities through a Close the Loop Iowa grant, awarded to help purchase 25 portable recycling stations that will be deployed during RAGBRAI LIII this July.![]()
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The grant-funded containers will be used throughout the community during one of Iowa's largest tourism events, with local volunteers helping visitors identify recyclable materials and encouraging proper waste diversion. The goal is simple: make recycling visible, accessible, and easy for residents and visitors alike.![]()
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While RAGBRAI provides an exciting opportunity to launch the program, the impact extends far beyond a single day. Reinbeck plans to utilize these recycling stations during the community's Fourth of July celebration, festivals, and other city events throughout the year, creating a lasting investment in local sustainability infrastructure.![]()
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Pictured is Lions Club President Adam Bentley with one of the new recycling containers purchased through the grant. During a recent planning visit, RAGBRAI Executive Director Matt Phippen also expressed appreciation for the project and its potential to serve as a model for future host communities seeking to increase event recycling and waste diversion.![]()
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By combining local leadership, community volunteers, and strategic grant funding, Reinbeck is demonstrating how small Iowa communities can take practical steps toward a more circular economy—one eve#iowawasteexchangew#closetheloopiowal#ragbraio#recyclingB#CircularEconomyC#wastereduction##communitypartnershipsi#sustainability##ReinbeckIai#KeepIowaBeautifulepIowaBeautiful![]()
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📸 Photos: Lions Club President Adam Bentley with one of the grant-funded recycling stations with the RAGBRAI gear trailer in the background; RAGBRAI Executive Director Matt Phippen discussing the initiative during a recent site visit and route tour.
🏭♻️ Through the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE), an Iowa manufacturer was able to source reusable scrap metal from another organization’s surplus materials rather than purchasing newly manufactured raw materials. This exchange not only saved the company thousands of dollars in material costs but also reduced demand for virgin resource extraction, energy-intensive manufacturing, and landfill disposal. By facilitating connections like these, IWE helps businesses improve operational efficiency, lower environmental impact, and support Iowa’s circular economy—where valuable materials remain in productive use for as long as possible.![]()
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Stats:![]()
• Over 87,000 Iowa businesses and organizations have benefited from IWE exchanges.![]()
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Action Steps:![]()
1. Contact your IWE Area Resource Specialist to learn more.www.iowawasteexchange.org![]()
2. Identify one material you discard regularly—could it be reused?![]()
3. Let IWE find a match.![]()
4. Share your success story and tag #IowaWasteExchange.
⛳🌧️ 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 💪🌎.
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
