Aug 10, 2016

Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) instrumental in Central Community School receiving 2016 Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award

The Central Community School in Elkader, Iowa was ready to make a change when it came to food waste. Without a landfill in Clayton County, the school was facing expensive landfill tipping and hauling fees just to get rid of their trash. In a combined effort from the Global Science Class and the Central Green Team to increase sustainability and cut costs, Central Community School set up a composting site.

With help from Jenny Trent, an environmental specialist with the IWRC, the students at Central Community School were able to make modifications to their composting operations and ramp up their efficiency. While visiting the site, Trent was able to troubleshoot problems and suggest an ideal composting location.

An efficient composting operation has allowed the Central Community School to reduce their lunchtime waste by almost 60 percent -- and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Central Community School was awarded a 2016 Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award, the highest environmental award offered in Iowa. The IWRC played an important part in helping the students create their site and sparking statewide recognition of their progressive sustainability efforts.

Is your school or organization interested in setting up composting operations? Learn more on the IWRC website or call (319) 273-8905.

The IWRC is a nationally recognized organization at UNI devoted to environmental consulting, assistance, training and education for entities with environmental impact or need. The Center began in 1987 as part of the Groundwater Protection Act.   

Did You Know?

UNI will host an interactive exhibit at the Iowa State Fair 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 11, through Sunday, Aug. 21, in the Varied Industries Building. 

UNI athletic director David Harris will visit with guests from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13. Harris will also show a steer at the Governor's Charity Steer Show.

On Saturday, Aug. 13, special appearances will also include:

  • Players from the UNI women's basketball team from 10 a.m. to noon
  • UNI head wrestling coach Doug Schwab from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • UNI head track and cross country coach Dave Paulsen from 3 to 5 p.m
  • UNI mascots TC and TK from 10 to 11 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.

Panther fans are encouraged to wear their UNI colors Saturday, Aug. 13 and stop by the booth.

UNI interim president Jim Wohlpart will be at the exhibit to visit with fairgoers from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19.

We hope to see you there!