Eastern Iowa Community College District
IN-1: Innovation 1

Iowa Waste Exchange: The Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) was created through the Iowa Administrative Code in 1991, and EICCD has been a part of this program since it's inception. The IWE is a free, confidential, and non-rgulatory service to assist Iowa business & industry with smart waste management alternatives to keep by-products and wastes from landfill disposal. IWE representatives perform waste audits for industry and provide re-use and recycling strategies and market information. The IWE is a grant-funded program that is currently administrated by the Iowa Dept of Natural Resources. There are seven IWE representatives throughout the state, housed at community colleges or councils of government. EICCD has continually housed and IWE representative since 1991 within the EICCD Economic Development Department. EICCD contributes a large amount of financial support to the IWE program in the form of grant match dollars as well as actual operating expenses. Statistics for the past three years are: FY2008 program total EICCD rep company assists 2617 526 tons waste diverted 255,584 16,252 $ saved by business 9,313,521 557,763 FY2009 program total EICCD rep company assists 3734 425 tons waste diverted 161,301 17,885 $ saved by business 5,257,163 476,783 FY2010 program total EICCD rep company assists 3400 416 tons waste diverted 171,345 12,431 $ saved by business 4,536,834 436,893 The Iowa Waste Exchange program contributes to EICCD’s Economic Development Department mission to "support the mission of Eastern Iowa Community College District by providing resources for the workforce, employers and community to be successful." By assisting area business & industry to re-use and recycle materials, the companies not only save money, but also become more sustainable. EICCD feels that our commitment to the Iowa Waste Exchange goes beyond the conventional STARS credits in providing community outreach to enhance sustainability of our region.