The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to advance statewide efforts to reduce food waste through its Increased Food Storage Capacity Grant Program.

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

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.

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

“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

Tackling the next generation of recycling challenges head-on as material streams shift and new, complex waste items emerge