About 46 percent of the waste landfilled in Iowa is organic. Organics include wood, food, paper and yard wastes.

By diverting organic material from the landfill, Iowa can add value to its agricultural products and expand markets for recycled goods. One of the best opportunities for organics diversion is composting. Here are several programs and resources to learn more about composting and organics recycling in Iowa.

Programs

• Mulch Iowa

Resources and Information

• Compost and Mulch Demonstration Projects
• State and National Resources
• Compost Facility List (*.pdf)
• Iowa Waste Exchange Available Organics
• Online Solid Waste Training
• Healthy Options for Organic Material Disposal

From Barker-Lemar

Composting Guidelines

• Specifications for Compost for Erosion/Sediment Control (*.pdf)
• Code of Iowa
  • Purchasing Preference for Compost
    455D.9(4)
• Organic Materials Composting Facilities Rules (*.pdf)
  • Outline
  • Iowa Administrative Code
• Annual Composting Facility Report (*.pdf)

Publications and Reports
All files are in PDF format.

• Yard Waste Handbook
• Organics Recycling Fact Sheet
• Iowa Compost Market Assessment
• Iowa Food Processors By-Product Study and Database Development
• Using Compost to Control Construction Site Runoff and Erosion
• Compost Works brochure
  
  
• Compost Use Workshop: Oct. 29, 2004
  • Brochure
  • Rebate program
  • Compost workshop overview
  • Compost applications presentation
  • A VHS recording of the workshop is available by contacting Ken Bouma at (515) 281-7982.
  
  
• Compost Use Profiles
  September 2004
  • City of Davenport
  • City of Waukee
  • Iowa Department of Transportation
  • Iowa State University
  • Regency Commercial Services
  • St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church

• Community Compost Workshop: May 4, 2004
• Al Rattie Compost Presentation
• Management Strategies Presentation
• Open Burning and Health Presentation
• Posters, handouts and trading cards are available through the DNR Air Quality Bureau by contacting Mindy Kralicek at Mindy.Kralicek@dnr.iowa.gov or at (515) 281-7832.


• Compost Use Workshop: February 24, 2004
  • Presentation
  • Landscape Architects Presentation
  • Handout
  • Marketing Handout
  • Compost Rebate Program
  • About Ron Alexander

DNR Contact
Matt McDonald
(515) 281-8150
Matt.McDonald@dnr.iowa.gov

2008 Midwest Composting School
June 9th–11th, 2008
ISU Extension Program:
Registration and Workshop Information