Iowa Composting Council

Iowa Composting Council The IACC is organized exclusively to promote the composting industry and the reduction, reuse and recycling of the organic component of Iowa’s waste stream.

New Iowa Composting Rules Are Here, Is Your Facility Ready?The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has adopted signific...
08/06/2026

New Iowa Composting Rules Are Here, Is Your Facility Ready?

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has adopted significant changes to the state's composting regulations, and understanding what they mean for your operation is essential.

Join the Iowa Recycling Association and Iowa Composting Council for a special joint webinar, "Understanding Iowa's New Composting Rules," featuring Theresa Steiner from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

During this webinar, you'll learn:
-The new four-tier compost facility system
-Changes to permitting and permit-by-rule requirements
-Type A, B, and C feedstocks and what they mean for your operation
-Updated siting, design, and operational standards
-How to transition from the previous rules to the new regulations

Whether you operate a compost facility, work in solid waste management, or are involved in organics recycling, this webinar will provide valuable guidance on navigating Iowa's updated composting regulations.

Date: August 12th
Time: 11am-12pm
Register: https://uni.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D9d21JsiRNaLgMJXq-Wabw #/registration

Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from the Iowa DNR and get your questions answered!

Thank You for a Great Day at the Inaugural Iowa Composting Council Golf Outing! The Iowa Composting Council would like t...
06/24/2026

Thank You for a Great Day at the Inaugural Iowa Composting Council Golf Outing!

The Iowa Composting Council would like to thank everyone who participated in our first-ever IACC Golf Outing at Toad Valley Golf Course in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

A special thank you to Vermeer Corporation, our Presenting Sponsor, for their generous support and commitment to advancing the composting industry.

We were excited to host 9 teams and 36 golfers representing organizations from across Iowa's composting, recycling, solid waste, and environmental sectors. The event provided an outstanding opportunity for industry professionals to connect, build relationships, and enjoy a great day on the course.

Most importantly, the outing raised funds for the IACC Emerging Professionals Program, which will provide a scholarship to send a young professional to the U.S. Composting Council National Conference. This investment will help develop the next generation of composting leaders by providing valuable educational, networking, and professional development opportunities at the industry's premier national event.

The success of this inaugural outing would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and members. Your participation is helping strengthen the future of composting in Iowa.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and making next year's outing even bigger and better!

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Industry Influencer Award 🏆The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize Karmin McSha...
06/23/2026

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Industry Influencer Award 🏆

The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize Karmin McShane as the recipient of the 2026 Industry Influencer Award.

Karmin's impact on Iowa's solid waste and composting industry spans more than two decades of dedicated leadership, innovation, and service.

Karmin joined the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency in 2001 and was promoted to Executive Director in 2003, a position she held for 23 years. Throughout her tenure, she guided the organization through some of Iowa's most challenging events, including the historic 2008 floods, which crested 20 feet above major flood stage, and the 2020 derecho, the costliest thunderstorm in U.S. history.

Her accomplishments include:
-Leading the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency through periods of significant growth, recovery, and innovation.
-Overseeing programs and initiatives that earned the Agency 20 state and national awards.
-Helping the Agency achieve one of the industry's highest honors, the 2025 U.S. Composting Council Compost Manufacturer of the Year Award – Large Site Category.
-Serving as a founding member of the Iowa Composting Council and providing years of leadership as Board Secretary through June 2025.
-Championing composting, recycling, and sustainable materials management throughout Iowa while mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.

Karmin's leadership has left a lasting impact on the Iowa Composting Council, the solid waste industry, and the communities she served. Her commitment to public service and her vision for advancing composting in Iowa have helped shape the industry we know today.

Please join us in congratulating Karmin McShane, recipient of the Iowa Composting Council's 2026 Industry Influencer Award!

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Industry Influencer Award 🏆The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize Jeff Bradley...
06/22/2026

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Industry Influencer Award 🏆

The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize Jeff Bradley as the recipient of the 2026 Industry Influencer Award.

For more than three decades, Jeff has helped shape the recycling, organics, and forestry industries through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to advancing equipment solutions that serve customers across North America and beyond.

Jeff began his career with Vermeer Corporation in 1991 as an engineer in the forage product division. Today, he serves as Product Manager for Recycling and Forestry Equipment, leading the development and enhancement of equipment that has transformed the way materials are processed and managed.

His contributions to the industry include:
-Leading the development of innovative equipment solutions, including the LS3600TX low-speed shredder, the highly successful HG6800TX horizontal grinder, and the redesigned HG4000 horizontal grinder.
-Earning multiple patents through Vermeer for his engineering and product development innovations.
-Helping customers and operators improve efficiency, productivity, and material recovery through practical, high-impact equipment solutions.
-Serving the composting industry beyond his professional role, including service on the U.S. Composting Council Board of Directors.

Beyond his technical accomplishments, Jeff is known throughout the industry for his willingness to share knowledge, build relationships, and support others. His personable nature and genuine commitment to people have created lasting connections among customers, industry partners, competitors, dealers, and colleagues alike.

Jeff's influence can be seen not only in the equipment and innovations he has helped bring to market, but also in the countless individuals and organizations he has positively impacted throughout his career.

Please join us in congratulating Jeff Bradley on receiving the Iowa Composting Council's 2026 Industry Influencer Award!

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Project of the Year 🏆The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize the City of Iowa C...
06/19/2026

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Project of the Year 🏆

The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize the City of Iowa City Compost Facility Expansion Project as the recipient of the 2026 Project of the Year Award.

Through strategic investment and a commitment to growing organics recycling opportunities, the City of Iowa City is expanding its composting infrastructure to better serve the community and support long-term sustainability goals.

Project highlights include:
-Securing funding through an EPA grant to expand the compost processing area from 5 acres to 7 acres.
-Investing in a new windrow compost turner to improve processing efficiency and enhance overall site operations.
-Increasing annual processing capacity from 15,000 tons to 20,000 tons of incoming organic materials, including yard waste and food waste.
-Creating opportunities to expand composting programs and divert more organic materials from disposal throughout their service area.
-Setting a goal to increase participation among Johnson County grocery stores and restaurants in food waste composting to 50% by 2028.

This project demonstrates how strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and community partnerships can expand composting capacity while creating meaningful environmental benefits for the region.

Please join us in congratulating the City of Iowa City on being named the Iowa Composting Council's 2026 Project of the Year!

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Compost Manufacturer of the Year 🏆The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize Metro...
06/18/2026

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Compost Manufacturer of the Year 🏆

The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize Metro Waste Authority as the recipient of the 2026 Compost Manufacturer of the Year Award.

Located on a nine-acre composting site in Mitchellville, Metro Waste Authority continues to demonstrate excellence in compost manufacturing through innovation, operational efficiency, and a commitment to producing high-quality compost products.

Highlights of their operation include:
-Optimizing site operations through improved windrow layouts, increased composting efficiency, and the creation of a centralized staging area that enhances material handling and workflow.
-Producing high-quality compost that is tested and certified through the U.S. Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program.
-Building a strong reputation around their flagship Grow Gold Compost product, trusted by homeowners, landscapers, and agricultural users throughout Iowa.
-Processing more than 50,000 tons of compostable material annually.
-Selling more than 19,000 cubic yards of Grow Gold Compost during FY25.
-Expanding market access through the introduction of private-label bagged compost. Since launching in FY24, Grow Gold Compost is now available at 27 retail locations across Central Iowa, with nearly 11,000 bags sold in FY26 to date.

Metro Waste Authority's commitment to operational excellence, product quality, and market development continues to advance composting in Iowa and serves as an outstanding example for the industry.

Please join us in congratulating Metro Waste Authority on being named the Iowa Composting Council's 2026 Compost Manufacturer of the Year!

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Partner of the Year 🏆The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize the Iowa Departmen...
06/17/2026

🏆 2026 Iowa Composting Council Partner of the Year 🏆

The Iowa Composting Council is proud to recognize the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as our 2026 Partner of the Year.

The IDNR has been a valued partner of the IACC since our organization's beginning, consistently demonstrating their commitment to advancing composting throughout Iowa.

Their partnership has been evident through:
-Regular participation in IACC Board meetings, providing important regulatory updates and insights.
-Collaboration with the IACC to develop and deliver compost operator recertification training for Iowa's state-certified compost operators.
-Working alongside the IACC during the development and revision of Iowa's new compost regulations.
-Ongoing support of Iowa's composting industry through open communication, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to responsible organics management.

Strong partnerships are essential to the continued growth and success of composting in Iowa, and we are grateful for the collaborative relationship we have built with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Please join us in congratulating the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on being named the Iowa Composting Council's 2026 Partner of the Year!

Last week at our Annual Meeting of Membership, we celebrated another year of growth, engagement, and leadership in Iowa'...
06/16/2026

Last week at our Annual Meeting of Membership, we celebrated another year of growth, engagement, and leadership in Iowa's composting industry.

Over the past year, IACC members:
-Helped support the development of Iowa's updated compost regulations
-Expanded outreach through events like APWA and EcoFest
-Participated in compost facility tours and professional development opportunities
-Represented Iowa at the U.S. Composting Council National Conference
-Celebrated national recognition earned by Iowa composting professionals and organizations

We also thanked outgoing board members Jeff Bradley and Caley Parrish for their dedicated service and welcomed two new board members who will help guide the future of our organization.

Looking ahead, we're excited to launch the IACC Emerging Professionals Program, expand educational opportunities, strengthen industry partnerships, and continue growing composting across Iowa.

Honored our first recipients of the IACC Awards. More posts to come with our award winners!

The future of composting in Iowa is bright because of the members, volunteers, and industry leaders who continue to show up, collaborate, and move our industry forward.

Thank you to everyone who makes the Iowa Composting Council a strong and thriving organization.

Address

P. O. Box 10954
Cedar Rapids, IA
52410

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Iowa Composting Council posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category