Divert it and convert it
One of the nation’s premiere materials exchange programs.
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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!
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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.
♻️ Join the Iowa Waste Exchange at the Iowa Outdoor Expo for Kids and Families, presented by the Des Moines Izaak Walton League!Stop by our booth for FREE make-and-take activities and discover fun, creative ways to give materials a second life!📅 Saturday, September 26⏰ 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.📍 Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (intersection of George Flagg & Park)🎟️ FREE admission and parking!Enjoy a day of hands-on family adventures, including virtual skeet shooting, fishing, archery, slingshot and BB gun ranges, animal presentations, minnow races, kids’ crafts, and exhibits from area conservation organizations!
At first glance, food waste might seem like an unusual concern for a global organization like the World Wildlife Fund. But food production and wildlife conservation are closely connected.Producing food requires land, water, energy, labor and transportation. Agriculture also affects wildlife habitat, water quality and biodiversity. When food is grown but never eaten, those resources and environmental impacts were expended without feeding anyone.The video below examines the challenge at a global scale. Meanwhile here in Iowa, the issue is equally tangible: food waste represents approximately 20% of the material disposed of in Iowa landfills. Iowa DNR estimates the average Iowan throws away about 200 pounds of food annually—and roughly one-quarter of it is still unopened in its original packaging.This makes food waste prevention and recovery both priorities for Iowa DNR and solid waste managers statewide.One practical response available with support from Iowa Waste Exchange: the Iowa DNR Food Storage Capacity Grant. By helping eligible food banks, food pantries and other nonprofit organizations expand refrigeration, freezer and storage capacity, the program allows more donated food to be safely accepted and distributed before it spoils. Organizations that distribute food across Iowa are eligible for up to $5,000.From protecting wildlife habitat globally to installing a freezer in an Iowa food pantry, the principle is the same: producing food requires valuable resources, and edible food should feed people—not landfills.▶️ Watch the WWF video: lnkd.in/edxtrUHYFor more information on the Iowa DNR Food Storage Capacity Grant, contact reid.bermel@dnr.iowa.gov.#iowawasteexchange #foodwaste #foodrescue #iowadnr #worldwildlifefund #foodsecurity #wastereduction #biodiversity
🎒 Turn Surplus into School Resources!With a new school year underway, Iowa Waste Exchange is helping surplus materials find their way into classrooms instead of landfills.📚 Furniture • 🎨 Art Supplies • 📦 Packaging • 🧵 Fabrics • 🪵 Wood • 🖊️ Office SuppliesLast year, IWE connected 136 schools with resources they could use. One example: ECICOG helped distribute surplus binders, hanging folders, and pens to high schools across their area.One organization’s leftover can become a classroom’s resource!Have surplus sitting in a back room? Let your local Area Resource Specialist help find it a new home.👉 Contact your Area Resource Specialist. www.iowawasteexchange.org
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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