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
Get Started Today
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I Have Materials Available
Save disposal costs, free up space and get questions answered.
Connect with a IWE repI’m Looking for Materials
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I Want to Know More
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I Want to Know More
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.
836
Iowa Waste Exchange
Proudly serving the entire State of Iowa.
🌎 April is Earth Month — Waste Diversity is more than Recycling!![]()
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Reuse = less waste/saved money, lower emissions, and stronger communities.![]()
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Make an impact:![]()
✔ Shop secondhand, saves you money ![]()
✔ Donate what you don’t need![]()
✔ Support reuse efforts![]()
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At the Iowa Waste Exchange, our mission is simple: divert waste and deliver value. By connecting organizations with opportunities to reuse materials, we help reduce disposal costs while turning unused resources into economic and environmental benefits. Waste isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of something new; Waste isn’t waste until you waste it. ![]()
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For questions or more information, reach out to your Area Resource Specialist at OUR NEW PAGE!! (Check it out!!) www.iowawasteexchange.org.![]()
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Play Earth Month BINGO for a chance to win a $100 ShopIowa.com gift card! Print your BINGO card and play! drive.google.com/file/d/17f8M9BOYR5Io50xqm4rnKHzfvPHrhoGU/view?usp=drive_link![]()
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Reuse and divert more. Waste less.
🌱 Inspiring the next generation of innovators! ♻️![]()
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Area 4 Resource Specialist Lindsey recently had the opportunity to speak with students at St. Ambrose University as part of their Management course in Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the College of Business.![]()
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This Sustainability Committee initiative helps connect students with real-world career paths while giving them insight into each speaker’s unique journey in the field.![]()
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A huge thank you to St. Ambrose University and The Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies Grant for supporting this meaningful opportunity! 👏
🏈 The NFL has the Super Bowl.![]()
🏒 The NHL has the Stanley Cup.![]()
⚾ The MLB has the World Series.![]()
🏀 The NBA has the Finals.![]()
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🌎 THE IWE HAS EARTH MONTH! 🌱![]()
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Starting today, our team is kicking off a full month of education, tips, and inspiration to show what YOU can do to help make YOUR planet healthier.![]()
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Pick up a new habit that will make a difference by checking out our BINGO contest 💚 The link is in the comments ⬇️![]()
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HAPPY EARTH MONTH!
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
