A materials or waste exchange is an information clearinghouse, a facilitator of waste trade, and a marketing channel for commerce in recyclable materials. Most waste exchanges now provide information about "needed" and "available" materials on the Internet. It is expected that the convenience and worldwide accessibility of the Internet will make the exchanges more efficient. The cotton and related industries can take advantage of waste exchanges to reduce disposal costs, obtain inputs cheaply, and apprise other exchange users of available materials.