Environmental Assistance

woman stands holding fist of dirt demonstrating proper compost moisture.

PRESS RELEASE: IWRC’s Jennifer Trent to serve as the President of the US Composting Council

The USCC is a robust, action-packed, forward-thinking organization that advances compost manufacturing, compost utilization, and organics recycling to benefit its members, society and the environment and it has just named Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s Jennifer Trent as its new Board of Directors President.

Read Full Article


person pushing food scraps into a bucket of food scraps for disposal

Unwrapping EPA’s New Wasted Food Scale

For decades, EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy has served as the primary tool to help decision makers (i.e., state and local governments) understand and determine the best options for managing food waste (Environmental Protection Agency, 2023). The hierarchy was established in 1990, so needless to say, an updated version has been eagerly anticipated.

Read Full Article


author and Environmental Intern Kendall Lienemann

The New Fashion Police: Fashion as a point of conversation

For any group of students, there will be challenges and barriers to overcome as they pursue their tomorrow, but they also have the ability to make an impact for a better tomorrow. In my blog, The New Fashion Police: Fashion as Waste, I discussed my interest in starting or hosting a clothing closet or mini thrift store for the campus community to participate in and donate to. My first step was to engage with campus staff and community members to flesh out this idea.

Read Full Article


IWRC Program Manager Jennifer Wittenburg working with Environmental Intern Kendall Lienemann

The Next Generation of Waste Reduction

Five students have left their mark at UNI’s Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) this summer, working across various internal and community-based projects. Paige German, Kendall Lienmann, Makayla Gasper, Eliana Hornbuckle, and Haley Christoffer may be from different universities, but they now have something in common: they all built a better Iowa through their work for the IWRC.

Read Full Article


The New Fashion Police Blog by IWRC Environmental Intern Kendall Lienemann

The New Fashion Police: Fashion as waste

Follow the captivating story of the IWRC's Environmental Intern Kendall Lienemann's quest to stand out through her unique sense of style. From thrift store expeditions to crafting her own clothing creations, Kendall's journey takes an unexpected turn when she discovers the hidden environmental and ethical costs of fast fashion. Join us as she shares her 'Aha!' moment and takes on the mission to combat the fashion industry's impact on the planet. Dive into the problem at hand, explore solutions, and find out how Kendall is determined to make a difference in her community through her internship at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center. It's a story that will change the way you view your wardrobe and the world of fashion. Don't miss it!

Read Full Article


IWRC Dan Nickey performs free energy assessment.

IWRC Now Offering Free Energy Assessments

Leaks in a compressed air system can result in significant energy loss, and potentially cost a business thousands of dollars. The Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa is offering free energy assessments for Iowa small businesses. The services available through this program include compressed air leak assessments, facility lighting analysis, and building envelope inspections.

Read Full Article


IWRC and ISU share tent at the 2023 Iowa Craft Brew Fest in Des Moines Iowa

Iowa Waste Reduction Center and Iowa State University's Brewing Science Lab Join Forces for Sustainable Brewing Solutions

For over five years, the mission of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s (IWRC) Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) program at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has been to assist breweries in, and recognize them for, implementing practices and strategies that minimize their overall environmental impact. As of today, over 30 breweries in Iowa have been awarded a level of certification by the IWRC, but the latest brewery they have worked with isn’t really a brewery at all, it’s Iowa State University (ISU).

Read Full Article


Craft Brewer's Conference & Brew Expo America 2023

Two Iowa Green Brewery Certified Breweries walk away with prestigious 2023 World Beer Cup Award

Nashville, TN was the place to be on May 7-10, 2023 for the Craft Brewer's Conference & Brew Expo America. This conference is America's largest Craft Brewing industry gathering and was filled with networking, tours, seminars, book-signings, tastings, nightly events, and more! The conference culminated with the Brewers Association World Beer Cup Awards Ceremony. This year’s World Beer Cup competition saw 10,213 entries from 2,376 breweries representing 51 countries. At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, a total of 307 awards were presented.

Read Full Article


Dan Nickey presenting at the FALL 2022 Strategic Goals Program Workshop

NEWS RELEASE: Iowa Strategic Goals Program Workshop Spring 2023

Wouldn’t it be nice if regulators would provide hints and tips to help you better understand what is required of your business? Would you like the opportunity to meet with regulators and industry experts in a small setting where questions are welcome? Join us for an Iowa Strategic Goals Program workshop on "E-Manifest, RCRA Inspections, Air Dispersion Modeling, EO10, IRA & Environmental Justice"

Read Full Article


Three children playing with worms in Jason Clays vermicomposting bin at Camp Wakonda's Celebrate Earth Day event

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Celebrates Earth Month 2023

Saturday, April 1, 2023 began the start of Earth month and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s (IWRC) calendar filled up qui

Read Full Article