Food, Beverage & Organics
PRESS RELEASE: Big Grove Des Moines certified Platinum
Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Des Moines has achieved platinum level certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) program. As the first brewery to have two facilities certified at the platinum level, Big Grove has demonstrated a company-wide commitment to minimizing their environmental impact.
Celebrating Earth Day 2024
Every day is Earth Day for the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) but that doesn’t mean we don’t participate in the nationally dedicated Earth Day efforts.
Getting the Dirt on Composting and Energy
The beautiful mid March weather has us in the mood to open our windows, break out the planters, and begin stirring the dirt in gardens. Read on the hear how IWRC Environmental Specialist Jason Clay introduced composting and energy conservation to Dayton, IA residents.
Conference Season is in Full Swing for the IWRC
The first quarter of 2024 is a busy time for IWRC staff with conferences and professional development opportunities. Learn where you can find IWRC staff this 2024 Spring conference season.
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.
PRESS RELEASE: Paha Cider is the First Cidery Certified by the Iowa Green Brewery Certification
Waverly, Iowa- Paha Cider has been awarded gold level certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) program. Paha Cider opened its doors in the second half of 2023 with sustainability as a core focus from the beginning. From the ground up, Paha has kept sustainability in mind and continue to build on that foundation.
PRESS RELEASE: Alluvial Brewing Company achieves gold level Iowa Green Brewery Certification
Alluvial, located on the northwest edge of Ames, has made sustainability a core focus throughout their business including sourcing local ingredients, maximizing the overall efficiency of their entire brewing operation and using waste grain and water to benefit the CSA farm located on site. Learn was their efforts have resulted in...
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.
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.
Cultivating Change: Community Gardens and Farmers Market Donation Project Wrap Up
The summer is always a busy time for the Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s (IWRC) Food, Beverage & Organics program. This summer was no different. July and August in Iowa marks the height of the farmers market and community garden season so Program Manager, Jennifer Trent, and Environmental Specialist, Jason Clay loaded the car and set forth to visit three Iowa communities, Manchester, Iowa Falls, and Shenandoah to assist them with implementing both food donation and composting strategies as part of the USDA funded Community Gardens and Farmers Market Compost and Donation project.