IWRC Stories & News

Fighting Food Waste graphic

Iowa Waste Reduction Center to host Fighting Food Waste event

Fighting Food Waste graphic

Join us for an evening of education, entertainment and advocacy from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, when the he University of Northern Iowa’s Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) presents Fighting Food Waste the Iowa Culinary Institute at DMACC, located at 2006 S Ankeny Blvd, in Ankeny.

Green Brewery Logo

UNI center certifies 31st Iowa brewery for sustainability efforts

Worth Brewing in Northwood, Iowa just became the 11th brewery in Iowa to achieve the Gold Certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification Program (IGBC).
IWRC staff working with brewery

UNI's Iowa Waste Reduction Center receives EPA Pollution Prevention Award

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa was recently selected to receive an EPA Region 7 2021 Pollution Prevention Award. The award will be formally presented on Oct. 26 during ceremonies at the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference.

UNI's STAR4D grows painter training program for U.S. Department of Defense

A nationally recognized painter training program at the University of Northern Iowa has been awarded a federal contract to provide training at 20 U.S. military sites across the country. 

UNI helps develop new legislation to promote sustainable food practices, reduce food waste

New federal legislation introduced today would promote sustainable food practices and food waste reduction by partnering research centers like one at the University of Northern Iowa with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. UNI has been instrumental in working with Congress to develop legislation that will bring effective and sustainable solutions to reducing food waste.

UNI campus

UNI to be Iowa host institution for worldwide climate change project

The University of Northern Iowa will be Iowa’s host institution for a worldwide project for educators and community members on what can be done in the state to address climate change over the next decade. 

UNI campus

UNI to host father of environmental justice Robert Bullard

The Aldo Leopold Distinguished Lecture Series committee is excited to announce that Robert Bullard, known as the “father of environmental justice,” will deliver a timely virtual presentation focused on the intersections of climate change and environmental justice. This event is free and open to all audiences.

The presentation will be hosted via Zoom at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 1. It will be followed by a Q&A session.UNI campus

Windmills

UNI awarded more than $800,000 for energy-focused projects

The Iowa Energy Center announced more than $800,000 in grant funding to two University of Northern Iowa projects working to boost energy efficiency in underserved rural areas and educate the next generation about career opportunities in an ever-evolving energy market.

The IEC awarded $418,696 to the Developing an Iowa Energy Curriculum for Secondary Classrooms project proposed by UNI’s Earth and Environmental Sciences department, which will develop and disseminate an energy curriculum for Iowa middle and high school students that incorporates career connections into each topic.

iwrc food waste container

Iowa Waste Reduction Center awarded $99,000 grant to reduce food waste in rural Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa’s Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) is launching a Comprehensive Regional Food Waste Diversion Project with help from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Food waste

The enormous cost of food waste and what can be done about it

Food waste is a big problem throughout the world, and the United States is one of the biggest offenders. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food waste is estimated at between 30-40% of the total United States food supply. That equals about 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food. 

Not only is wasting food an ethical or moral issue, it’s a business and economic one. That’s literally billions of dollars being thrown away, directly affecting revenue, profits and economic vitality. Luckily, food waste is starting to get attention in business circles.