Food, Beverage & Organics

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Iowa Waste Reduction Center Receives $175,159 P2 Grant to Enhance Brewery Pollution Prevention Programs

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) has been awarded a Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant funded by US EPA’s P2 Program. This grant will support our P2 in Breweries for TAPs (Technical Assistance Programs) Project, aimed at enhancing pollution prevention practices in breweries nationwide.

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IWRC goes on the road as fall conference season gets underway

Autumn in Iowa brings a welcoming crispness to the air and an abundance of color and stunning views. It makes it really hard to stay in the office. So, why fight it! The IWRC hits the road to a variety of conferences across Iowa. See where we will be and stop by to say hi!

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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.

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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.

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child's hands holding a worm cocoon with a bucket of black dirt

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.

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Staff member Dan Nickey poses with another conference goer in Daytona Beach

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.

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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.

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Paha Cidery Owner Mark Westbrock with Mo Volka, Sales & Marketing Director stand in front of cider vatts holding their Gold Certification

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.

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Neil Blair, head brewer. and Elliot Thompson, owner of Alluvial Brewing stand on the floor of their brewery holding their gold certification plaque

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...

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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.

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