Composting windrows - photo credit Cedar Rapids/Linn County SWA Compost Site Composting windrows - photo credit Cedar Rapids/Linn County SWA Compost Site

Rural Compost Operations and Compost Use Training Project

Join us in select Iowa communities for training events to learn best practices for compost operations, as well as proven strategies to protect local water sources from pollutants found in stormwater.

photo credit: Cedar Rapids/Linn County SWA Compost Site

Workshop Information and Schedule
IWRC Online Painter Training spray guns IWRC Online Painter Training spray guns

IWRC Online Painter Training

Our new Online Painter Training course is now available through the University of Northern Iowa’s Blackboard eLearning portal. 

  • Bookmark your progress 
  • Easy course progress tracking and monitoring through new gradebook feature
  • Hands-on training validation now added as a final assignment
Learn more about v2.0
mobile phone with social media icons in foreground mobile phone with social media icons in foreground
transparent placeholder - no image shown
transparent placeholder - no image shown

Explore In the Media with Food, Beverage and Organics program

Podcasts, radio interviews and news articles featuring IWRC's esteemed experts sharing their wisdom. insights, and knowledge about preventing and reducing organic waste through sustainable and actionable solutions.  

Check it out!
Abstract purple and white wavy lines background Abstract purple and white wavy lines background
An IWRC environmental specialist inspects secondary containment unit at gasoline distribution facility
An IWRC environmental specialist inspects secondary containment unit at gasoline distribution facility

Free and Confidential Environmental Consultations

We’ve provided quality, dedicated assistance to Iowa small businesses for more than 28 years. Schedule an on-site technical assistance visit with us today!

All about the OSR program
green leaves abstract lines and light reflections in background green leaves abstract lines and light reflections in background
Jennifer Trent of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center
Jennifer Trent of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center

IWRC’s Jennifer Trent begins 2nd term as the President of the U.S. Composting Council

Congratulations to the IWRC's Food, Beverage and Organics program manager, Jennifer Trent for continuing to implement and coordinate quality food waste reduction programming since 2012.

Read more about the program
Closeup view of brewery hops on vine. Closeup view of brewery hops on vine.
map of certified green breweries in Iowa
map of certified green breweries in Iowa
FREE Expert Guidance

Iowa Certified Green Craft Breweries

Find out how we can help you implement sustainable business practices for your Iowa Brewery.

get certified now!

Get monthly updates from the IWRC. Regulatory updates, industry news, upcoming events and more - straight to your inbox.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Environmental Consultation and Education

The IWRC, based at the University of Northern Iowa, is a nationally recognized leader in environmental consulting and education. We serve organizations seeking to address their environmental impact through consulting, training and specialized assistance.

icon of two hands shaking

Environmental Assistance

Environmental assistance helps your Iowa small businesses meet regulations through monitoring, compliance tracking, on-site audits, permit assistance, and deploying new technologies to help you reduce and reuse waste.
 

Learn more

Icon of energy efficient light bulb

Energy Efficiency

Free on-site energy efficiency technical assistance and educational materials help your Iowa small businesses reduce energy consumption and costs through energy audits and efficiency education, improving both sustainability and profitability.
 

Learn more

eaten apple core surrounded by recycling errows

Food, Beverage and Organics

Focused on diverting organic waste from landfills through solutions like anaerobic digestion, composting, and waste prevention. Audits, training, regulatory guidance, and the Iowa Green Brewery Certification are some of the services you can expect.
 

Learn more

Icon of spray booth paint gun

‌Painter Training
 

Improve your production efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure regulatory compliance. Customized training for diverse industries can boost your productivity, minimize defects, and can be conducted on-site or at our facility.
 

Learn more

Latest News & Updates

two men set just behind woman in black and white stripped blouse

Introducing the Food, Beverage, and Organics Team

Our landfills are getting fuller by the day and a large contributor to that is simply the food we throw away. At the IWRC,…
fall leaves crowding a street drain during a rain storm

Stormwater Compliance in Iowa– What Your Facility Needs to Know

Stormwater compliance is more than just a regulatory requirement– it’s a proactive approach to minimizing risk. Ensuring…
Meet Jen, Dan, Drew, Jordan and Jim

Meet the Environmental Assistance Team

Here at the IWRC, we have five amazing team members ready to help your business dot your "I"s and cross your "T"s so you can…

VIEW ALL
News Stories Blog Posts

What Clients Say

Thanks again for taking the time! I think your experience and insight really gave folks hope for change in Nebraska. I've had 5 folks, two of whom are composters, reach out to say what a great conversation it was.

Nebraska Composting Council member

What Clients Say

STAR4D does more intensive and beneficial training in three days with spray technique than my tech school did in three years.

Air Force Painter

What Clients Say

I did learn a lot. I enjoyed the hands-on aspects of the training. Jennifer and Jason were fantastic instructors.

2021-2022 Food, Beverage & Organics / USDA Project Participant

What Clients Say

Mr. Nickey and Ms. Burrows have been extremely helpful and very professional. They both have been extremely valuable in assisting me in getting our company up to compliance with EPA and DNR regulations. I would highly recommend the IWRC to anyone; and I wish other states I have worked in had this type of resource. I am extremely grateful that this program exists

IceCap Cold Storage

What Clients Say

I really enjoyed calculating the porosity of the compost by adding water to the bucket and taking different measurements. I’ve learned about these concepts in classes and really enjoyed the mini activity.

2021-2022 Food, Beverage & Organics / USDA Project Participant

What Clients Say

I found the team very easy to work with and very knowledgeable. The fact that the IWRC provides actionable items is extremely helpful.

LDJ Manufacturing, Inc

What Clients Say

Loved the opportunity for our library to partner with IWRC on this program. They were so much fun to work with and we would love to have you back in Shenandoah for other training opportunities!

2021-2022 Food, Beverage & Organics / USDA Project Participant

What Clients Say

Jordan & Jason were extremely easy to work with and went above and beyond to help me out. They put my mind at ease and have answered any questions I had for them. It is wonderful that we have a service like that to help smaller businesses and new employees.

White Transfer & Storage

What Clients Say

Great information on composting was presented and they almost convinced me to take up vermicomposting too!

2021-2022 Food, Beverage & Organics / USDA Project Participant

What Clients Say

Great experience! They answered all questions and provided information to help our organization with areas that we did not understand.

Freund-Vector Corporation

What Clients Say

The vermicomposting was really fascinating! I had heard the composting series before, and I still learned something new this time. I appreciate the hands-on nature of your events.

2021-2022 Food, Beverage & Organics / USDA Project Participant

 

Our Partners

Alliant Energy
Chemical Coaters Association International
Food Rescue Partnership
Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency
Iowa Brewers Guild
Iowa Composting Council
Iowa DNR logo
Iowa Economic Development
Iowa Environmental Council
Iowa Recycling Association
Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations
Iowa Waste Exchange
MidAmerican Energy Company
National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Pollution Prevention Services
USDA logo
United States Environmental Protection Agency
US Composting Council