The Lincoln-based Nebraska Recycling Council (NRC) has received grant funding from both the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to complete projects in 2024. Grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) will continue NRC’s public education and communications programming. Examples of these activities include managing the Nebraska Online Recycling Guide, hosting an annual conference, providing technical assistance, speaking at events, and developing and sharing educational materials. In 2023, the Nebraska Online Recycling Guide was utilized 10,890 times, and NRC’s website had 43,308 total page views.
NDEE also awarded funds to NRC to support developing Municipal Waste Diversion Toolkits. These resources will supply communities across Nebraska with the tools they need to improve waste diversion from the landfill and create sustainable programs such as recycling and composting. A wide range of stakeholders will influence the content to ensure a comprehensive, implementable and appropriate resource.
Grant funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust will continue NRC’s long-standing Recycling Equipment Grant Program and fund a new project, a series of four Durable Medical Equipment Rehome and Collection events. The Recycling Equipment Grant Program has supported the development of recycling infrastructure in Nebraska since 1999. In 2023, the NRC disbursed $277,357 to communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations and schools across Nebraska. In partnership with other organizations, NRC plans to collect, rehome and recycle large, durable medical equipment in Scottsbluff, Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha. Dates and locations of these four events will be announced soon.