Recycling and Composting

Iowa's citizens, local governments, business and industry have proactively worked together to protect Iowa's environment by reducing waste, recycling, manufacturing recycled goods and buying recycled-content products. This cooperative effort has built an impressive recycling industry that creates and retains higher wage jobs and businesses. Iowa's recycling industry generates $2.4 billion in annual industrial output and supports more than 11,400 jobs.

Programs

• Mulch Iowa
• Electronic Waste Recycling
• Tire Recycling
• Mercury Switch Removal from Vehicles
• Organics (Composting)
• Bottle Deposit Law
• Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling
• Appliance Recycling
• Sustainable Design

Resources and Information

• Buying Recycled Products
• Glass, Metal, Paper and Plastic Recycling Info
• Iowa Waste Exchange
• Healthy Options for Organic Material Disposal

From Barker-Lemar
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)

Publications and Reports

• 2007 Economic Impacts of Recycling in Iowa report
• Iowa Compost Rebate Program final report

DNR Contact
Jennifer Reutzel
(515)281-8672
Jennifer.Reutzel@dnr.iowa.gov

Recycling Facts

• 1.2 million tons of materials are recycled in Iowa each year
• 600 plus Iowa communities have curbside recycling
• As of fiscal year 2002, 35 percent of all waste generated in Iowa was diverted from landfills
• Recycling results in a net fiscal gain for Iowa's local and state government