Environmental Assistance
IWRC goes on the road as fall conference season gets underway
CONFERENCE SEASON IS HERE! The IWRC hits the road to a variety of conferences across Iowa. See where we will be and stop by to say hi!
Stop paying for compressed air leaks
For many Iowa manufacturers and industrial businesses, compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in their facility. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most wasted.
What does the IWRC’s MSEI assistance look like?
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires minor source facilities to submit an emissions inventory once every three years. Many of these facilities (fewer than 100 employees) don’t have a dedicated or experienced staff member to complete this technical reporting requirement. This is where the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP), housed within the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), steps in.
The Potential Hazards of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that have become increasingly popular over the last several decades. They are almost impossible for us to avoid because they make life so much easier and accessible. However, danger arises when the battery's physical integrity is compromised resulting in fires and injury.
Energy Savings Made Simple: What is An Energy Audit?
You hear that your business could benefit from an energy audit, but what does that actually look like? Instead of guessing where your utility dollars are going, you get an in-person energy expert who walks you through your facility’s energy processes and pinpoints exactly where critical cost savings may be slipping through the cracks.
PRESS RELEASE: Free help for Central Iowa businesses reporting Minor Source Emissions in 2026
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - All portable plants as well as businesses classified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as minor sources in counties throughout the central portion of the state may be required to submit the Minor Source Emissions Inventory (MSEI) by May 15, 2026. Counties in Central Iowa include: Appanoose, Boone, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Jasper, Kossuth, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Monroe, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Warren, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Worth and Wright. If your facility is subject, you should have received notification from the DNR.
Iowa small businesses once again have access to a free energy efficiency assistance program
The Energy Efficiency Assistance Program for Iowa Small Businesses, developed by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa will reopen thanks to a new grant award from an Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) energy program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Passing the Environmental Compliance Torch
For many small businesses, turnover can create compliance challenges — plans get misplaced, waste isn’t properly managed, or key records disappear simply because the knowledge went with the previous person. A smooth transition protects not only your facility’s compliance status but also helps the next person succeed from day one.
Clear Guidance, Real Results: Free Air Quality Compliance Support for Iowa’s Small Businesses
Under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, every state is required to establish a Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). In Iowa, the IAEAP fulfills this role and is funded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau. The IAEAP offers free, non-regulatory support to businesses with 100 or fewer employees, serving all industries throughout Iowa’s 99 counties.
Announcing the IWRC's Paint Training Team
Production issues. Excess waste. Improper coating application. Equipment problems. High turnover. Regulatory compliance. If one or all of the issues has ever plagued your painter training operations, it just might be time to refresh and regroup. As luck would have it, we have four team members at the IWRC, all expertly skilled in industrial and military training, ready to give your operation the boost it needs.