Outstanding Market Development Award
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Compost Rebate Program (Des Moines, IA)
Program Overview
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources initiated the Compost Rebate Program from July 2003 to May 2004 to induce first-time buyers to use compost. Seven participating composting facilities reported the purchaser of their material and how it was to be used via a coupon form or a website. Purchasers in the program included greenhouses, road departments, landscaping firms, golf courses, schools, farms, arboretums, developers, churches, hospitals, and others. Purchasers of the rebate compost received up to $5 or 50% off per cubic yard, whichever was less. Through the program, 92 first-time compost buyers purchased over 17,500 cubic yards of compost, generating $49,227.76 in refunds, which was paid for by the department using landfill tipping fee revenues. For more information, visit www.iowadnr.com/waste/recycling/organics/index.html or contact Jeff Geerts at (515) 281-8176 or [email protected].
An Interview with Jeff Geerts
NRC: Tell us about a project that you are working on right now that you
find particularly interesting and why.
Jeff Geerts: I am currently serving as a coach to communities that want to submit an offer to be selected as a pilot “Iowa’s Great Places Community.” The Iowa’s Great Places Initiative is designed to make a good place great by bringing together the resources of state government to build capacity in communities, regions, neighborhoods, and districts that cultivate the unique and authentic qualities that make places special: engaging experiences; rich, diverse populations and cultures; a vital, creative economy; clean and accessible natural and built environments; well-designed infrastructure; and a shared attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas, based on a diverse and inclusive cultural mosaic.
Government agencies will work together as true partners with three “pilot” Great Places (to be selected throughout the state), to stimulate ideas and planning, streamline access to available state resources, help leverage local and private resources, and share technical expertise. The Great Places Initiative will also bolster the state’s other successful economic tools like Vision Iowa and the Iowa Values Fund.
NRC: What do you find most challenging about working on waste reduction
issues?
Jeff Geerts: Assembling all of the potential partners needed to make a project or program successful and helping the partners realize their shared common interests.
NRC: What do you find most exciting about your work?
Jeff Geerts: When a group of partners comes together in a very synergistic manner and makes a positive, ongoing impact on protecting the environment and Iowa’s economy.
NRC: What would you describe as your single greatest accomplishment in
waste reduction?
Jeff Geerts: Leading the way on promoting and growing the opportunities for reducing and recycling construction and demolition debris before that material was on the minds of many others in the state.
NRC: What advice do you have for others who may be interested in
replicating your success?
Jeff Geerts: Continue to innovate, develop strong partnerships, and have mentors to guide you.