Nebraska awards $1.9 million to recycling, litter programs

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality director Mike Linder announced the awarding of $1,890,250 in 67 grants for litter cleanup, recycling and public education programs and activities. Funds for the Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program are generated from a fee charged to certain manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of products that commonly contribute to litter.

Trailblazer Resource Conservation & Development was awarded $23,057 to conduct Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in seven counties on two consecutive weekends. The events will be done in conjunction with county and community boards, the Little Blue Natural Resources District and the Lower Republican Natural Resources District. These events constitute free and safe disposal methods for unwanted and potentially dangerous material and also reduced the potential for ground or surface water contamination.

Keep Kimball Beautiful was awarded $27,864 to enable them to continue operation of the recycling program serving the city and county of Kimball. In less than 2 years, the program has resulted in a 63 percent increase in the collection of recyclables. In addition, the funds awarded will pay for a forklift to help in loading materials for shipment to market.

The City of Lincoln was awarded $21,065 to purchase over 400 Clearstream recycling containers to be used initially at 17 event and sporting competition locations for the Special Olympics to be held in Lincoln in 2010. The events will be promoted as “Litter Free” and “Zero Waste” events. The containers will continue to be used at future events by the participating partners after the Special Olympics have concluded.