Environment Stories & News

Midwest rural communities recipient of compost training program

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center  (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa is launching the Rural Compost Operations and Compost Use Training Project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Solid Waste Management Grant Program.

Take the purple bag challenge this Earth Day

‌UNI Facilities Management is teaming up with the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, the Student Sustainability Advisory Board, and students in the Introduction to Environmental Earth Science class to launch a new Earth Day initiative: the Purple Bag Challenge.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Receives $175,159 P2 Grant to enhance brewery pollution prevention programs

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa is excited to announce the receipt of a $175,159 Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program.

UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education names new director

In 2025, Kamyar Enshayan will officially pass the torch of leading UNI's Center for Energy & Environmental Education to Ashley Coffin.

More than 30 years improving air quality for Iowa small businesses

For more than 30 years, the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program has worked with Iowa small businesses to improve air quality.

UNI guest speaker explores cancer risks from agricultural chemicals

Renowned environmental writer and biologist Sandra Steingraber will present “Contaminated Without Consent: Cancer, Agricultural Chemicals & Human Rights."

Big Grove Des Moines achieves platinum Iowa Green Brewery Certification

Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Des Moines has achieved platinum level certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) program.

Planting positive change

Public administration students at UNI got the chance to plant trees in historically redlined neighborhoods in Waterloo as part of a class project.

Revitalize to Rewear: Student project saves clothing from the landfill

Diverting waste from landfills certainly isn’t glamorous work, but one group of UNI students is doing it in style through Revitalize to Rewear.

Students experience breathtaking sights of Iceland during study abroad

For most students, winter break is a chance to relax, catch up with family and indulge in tasty holiday treats, but for 17 UNI students, winter break meant escaping to one of the most interesting and beautiful countries in the world – Iceland.