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DEQ Awards $4.3 Million in Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants

Department of Environment and Energy

News Release

NDEE Goodlife
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEQ Awards $4.3 Million in Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Acting Director Patrick Rice today announced the awarding of $4,296,581 in grants through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund.

“These funds are used for a wide variety of projects to reduce waste, promote recycling and address the issue of scrap tire piles,” Rice said. “The grants will provide support to important local environmental improvement efforts across the state.”

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund is generated by a fee on solid waste disposed of in landfills, an annual retail business sales fee, and a fee assessed on the sale of new tires for motor vehicles.

The grants are provided to local integrated waste management projects including: recycling systems, household hazardous waste collection programs, transfer stations, yard waste composting, scrap tire collections, and recycling scrap tires into crumb rubber for use in athletic fields. Some of the projects funded include:
 

  • The City of Gering was awarded $23,665 for a skid loader to help move materials in the city’s recycling center.
  • Nebraska Pharmacists Association was awarded $120,505 to help 500 pharmacies across the state legally collect and properly dispose of unwanted prescription medications from the public. If not properly disposed, pharmaceuticals can end up in groundwater and drinking water.
  • Cuming County was awarded $43,000 for the cleanup of approximately 500 tons of scrap tires from Cuming, Burt, Dodge, Washington, Dakota, Thurston, Douglas, Sarpy, Colfax, and Stanton counties. The event will be held the morning of September 5, 2014 in West Point.
  • Plattsmouth Community Schools – was awarded $187,923, to provide 25% reimbursement of artificial turf for the football and baseball fields, a shock layer under the football field, and an athletic running track surface. 633,700 pounds of crumb rubber made from recycled scrap tires from Nebraska were used in this project.
     

The attached table provides a list by city of all 2014 grantees, and includes the amount awarded and a description of the projects receiving grant support.

 

2014 Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant Award Recipients

CityOrganizationAward AmountApplication Summary
AinsworthCity of Ainsworth$22,520180-ton scrap tire cleanup for Brown County
AlbionBoone Central Schools$103,42525% reimbursement of artificial turf and athletic track surface
AllianceCity of Alliance$61,140500-ton scrap tire cleanup for five counties
AllianceKeep Alliance Beautiful, Inc.$7,38850% reimbursement of 48,000 pounds of rubber landscaping mulch
AlmaLower Republican Natural Resources District$17,650200-ton scrap tire cleanup for Webster, Franklin, and Harlan Counties
ArlingtonVillage of Arlington$8,90550% reimbursement of 58,500 pounds of rubber and 25% reimbursement of swing mats
AtkinsonCity of Atkinson$30,398300-ton scrap tire cleanup
AuburnNemaha County$11,176125-ton scrap tire cleanup
AuroraCity of Aurora - Park & Recreation Dept.$39925% reimbursement of sign post, water hydrant, fence, and guy wire mats
BassettCity of Bassett and Rock County$23,352200-ton scrap tire cleanup
BeatriceGage County$25,952300-ton scrap tire cleanup
BeatriceCity of Beatrice - Public Properties$6,80025% reimbursement of bonded-rubber playground surface
BellevueCity of Bellevue$10,200100-ton scrap tire cleanup
BenkelmanCity of Benkelman$15,802150-ton scrap tire cleanup for Dundy County
BennetVillage of Bennet$38,826500-ton scrap tire cleanup
Broken BowCuster County Recycling$50,000Horizontal Baler to replace an older baler in the Custer County recycling facility
Broken BowBroken Bow Schools$15,42550% reimbursement of 109,200 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Broken BowCity of Broken Bow$5,20450% reimbursement of 37,050 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Cedar BluffsCedar Bluffs Public Schools$3,11850% reimbursement of 17,550 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Cedar RapidsCedar Rapids Public School$1,16925% reimbursement of poured-in-place playground surface
CenterKnox County$9,560100-ton scrap tire cleanup
Central CityMerrick County Highway Department$8,476100-ton scrap tire cleanup
Central CityCity of Central City$2,20225% reimbursement of 14 picnic tables
ChadronKeep Chadron Beautiful$20,000Recycle cardboard and white office paper
ChadronSolid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska$19,033125-ton scrap tire cleanup for Sioux, Dawes, and Sheridan Counties
ChadronNorthwest Community Action Partnership Headstart$4,12250% reimbursement of 17,550 pounds of playground rubber mulch
ColumbusBehlen Mfg. Co.$22,200Purchase a grappling rake to help recycle wood, purchase recycling containers, and rent two compactors
ColumbusCity of Columbus$31,600300-ton scrap tire cleanup
ColumbusYoung Ones Child Care$57650% reimbursement of 2,613 pounds of playground rubber mulch
DavenportLittle Blue Natural Resources District$16,600200-ton scrap tire cleanup for Clay, Nuckolls, and Thayer Counties
David CityButler County Landfill$30,700Purchase a new skid loader to handle scrap tires at the landfill
David CityCounty of Butler County$14,980175-ton scrap tire cleanup
David CityCity of David City$7,03750% reimbursement of 48,750 pounds of playground rubber mulch
EagleParents and Teachers of Eagle Elementary (PTE)$1,04925% reimbursement of playground mats
ElginCity of Elgin$12,67550% reimbursement of 97,500 pounds of playground rubber mulch
ElginSt. Boniface Elementary School$2,09750% reimbursement of 13,650 pounds of playground rubber mulch
ElwoodElwood Public Schools$2,13850% reimbursement of 29,250 pounds of playground rubber mulch
EmeraldSanitary Improvement District #6$36,970500-ton scrap tire cleanup
FairburyJefferson County$12,362150-ton scrap tire cleanup
Falls CityDreamland Daycare$1,05050% reimbursement of 7,500 pounds of rubber mulch
FirthPrairieland Dairy LLC$95,000Food de-packaging equipment for use in dairy and food waste composting operation
FirthNorris Elementary School$1,26050% reimbursement of 3,060 pounds of rubber mulch and 25% reimbursement of mats/ramp
Fort CalhounFort Calhoun Community Schools$2,69925% reimbursement of playground mats
FremontKeep Fremont Beautiful, Inc.$22,506One day household hazardous waste collection event for Fremont and Dodge County. Maintain battery and CFL collection site.
FremontCity of Fremont$17,976200-ton scrap tire cleanup
GenevaFillmore County Board of Supervisors$12,148150-ton scrap tire cleanup
GeringCity of Gering$23,665Skid loader to help move materials in the recycling center
GibbonGibbon Public Schools$8,12050% reimbursement of 56,550 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Grand IslandHall County Highway Department$16,776200-ton scrap tire cleanup
GretnaGretna Sanitation, Inc.$65,000Purchase a semi tractor and walking floor trailer to transport organic waste.
GretnaGretna Public Schools$24,67925% reimbursement of athletic track surfacing
GretnaGretna Public Schools - High School$24,45625% reimbursement of athletic track surfacing
HartingtonCedar County$24,296260-ton scrap tire cleanup
HastingsWoodward's Disposal Service, Inc.$52,765Curbside Recycling Truck
HastingsCity of Hastings Solid Waste Landfill$24,500Host a one-day household hazardous waste collection event for residents of Adams County
HastingsCity of Hastings Solid Waste Department$30,155325-ton scrap tire cleanup for Adams County
HastingsBruckman Rubber Co.$64650% reimbursement of 6,371 pounds of crumb rubber for manufacturing
ImperialCity of Imperial$2,000Host a one day electronics recycling event for Imperial and surrounding area
ImperialSWNSWA$7,500Vertical baler and stretch wrap dispenser to bale and ship #1 and #2 plastics
ImperialSouthwest Nebraska Solid Waste Agency$12,188120-ton scrap tire cleanup for Chase County
KearneyCity of Kearney$25,200300-ton scrap tire cleanup for Buffalo County
KearneyEmerson Elementary/Kearney Public Schools$13,44850% reimbursement of 82,563 pounds of playground mulch and 25% reimbursement of mats
KearneySandhill Plastics, Inc.$7,08950% reimbursement of 128,772 pounds of crumb rubber for manufacturing
KimballKeep Kimball Beautiful$29,797Expenses for Keep Kimball Beautiful, the Kimball Recycling Center and a roll-off container
KimballCity of Kimball$22,990200-ton scrap tire cleanup
LewistonLewiston Consolidated Schools$3,57350% reimbursement of 23,400 pounds of rubber mulch and 25% reimbursement of rubber timbers
LexingtonLexington Area Solid Waste Agency$25,780Household hazardous waste collection events over two weekends in central Nebraska.
LincolnBlessed Sacrament School$1,500Purchase two recycled plastic park benches for the school playground
LincolnKeep Nebraska Beautiful$26,484Chemical cleanout campaign in five Nebraska high schools---Cedar Bluffs, Conestoga, Johnson-Brock, Neligh-Oakdale and Sandy Creek
LincolnKeep Nebraska Beautiful$52,824Materials Exchange Program
LincolnLincoln Electric System$150,000Two-year grant to remove and recycle approximately 1,100 older refrigerators for LES customers
LincolnNebraska Pharmacists Association$120,505First year of two-year project for 500 pharmacies to legally collect and dispose of unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals
LincolnCity of Lincoln$212,500Self-propelled compost turner for city's yard waste composting program producing approximately 10,000 cubic yards of finished compost annually.
LincolnCity of Lincoln$31,607Purchase public area recycling containers for city government buildings
LincolnLincoln Public Schools$12,428Salary and travel for Lincoln Public Schools Recycling Coordinator
LincolnLincoln-Lancaster County Health Department$120,000Several household hazardous waste collection events in Lancaster County, two events for small businesses, home-based household hazardous waste service for seniors and homebound citizens, and two latex paint exchanges.
LincolnCEDARS Youth Services$1,58050% reimbursement of 12,546 pounds of playground rubber mulch
LincolnKelly's Kids Learning and Development Center$1,38850% reimbursement of 10,800 pounds of playground rubber mulch
LincolnLincoln Public Schools$60,19725% reimbursement of artificial turf at Beechner Field
LincolnSaratoga Elementary School-Lincoln Public Schools$74525% reimbursement of six benches and three picnic tables
LincolnUniversity of Nebraska Athletics$94,78025% reimbursement of artificial turf for Memorial Stadium
Loup CityCentral Nebraska Community Services$60250% reimbursement of 2,600 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Loup CitySherman County$35925% reimbursement of six park benches
MadisonCity of Madison$3,24630-ton scrap tire cleanup for the City of Madison
MadridVillage of Madrid$29,360250-ton scrap tire cleanup
MadridVillage of Madrid$3,80550% reimbursement of 18,119 pounds of playground rubber mulch
McCookRed Willow County$154,576This grant would support the Red Willow County Household Hazardous Waste Facility and provide for a minimum of 52 HHW collection events and 17 additional pickup and disposal services with a minimum of 200,000 pounds of HHW collected in 32 counties.
MindenCounty of Kearney$16,976200-ton scrap tire cleanup
MindenLois Bruning$12925% reimbursement two benches for Ft. Kearney Rec Area
Nebraska CityEmily M. Schneider$34050% reimbursement of 12,760 pounds of playground rubber mulch
NelighCity of Neligh$32,765350-ton scrap tire cleanup for Antelope County
NelsonNuckolls County$9,610120-ton scrap tire cleanup
NelsonSouth Central NE USD #5$7,73150% reimbursement of 54,920 pounds of playground rubber mulch
NorfolkSiouxland Plastics$175,000Optical sorter that scans, sorts and compresses plastic
North BendNorth Bend Central Public Schools$21,81925% reimbursement of athletic track surfacing
North PlatteKeep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful$8,150Roll-off trailer for recyclables in North Platte and Lincoln County
North PlatteSandridge Apartments$3,35850% reimbursement of 23,400 pounds of playground rubber mulch
OaklandNebraska Loess Hills RC&D Council$13,781Host three household hazardous waste collection events in Emerson, Beemer and Craig
OaklandNebraska Loess Hills RC&D Council$3,500Host an electronics collection event in West Point
OgallalaWestern Resources Group, LLC$50,000Purchase six roll off containers for cardboard and other recyclables
OmahaAngels on Wheels DBA Cross Training Center$45,000Thirty-three electronics and appliance collection events including advertising costs and refurbishing some equipment.
OmahaGoodwill Industries, Inc.$54,750Box truck, three cargo trailers, and promotional wraps to be used for donations at 16 Goodwill locations
OmahaSt. Philip Neri School$1,650Installation of a used dishwasher
OmahaweCompost$5,000Purchase a box truck to pick up organic waste from Omaha residences and small businesses to be vermicomposted
OmahaCity of Omaha -- UnderTheSink HHW Facility$275,000Funds to operate the Under-The-Sink permanent household hazardous waste facility
OmahaBaseball Omaha, LLC/Ropes Academy$2,23550% reimbursement of 22,693 pounds of crumb rubber
OmahaHamilton Heights Child Development Center$46025% reimbursement of playground mats
OmahaKingswood Athletic Association$25,59625% reimbursement of artificial turf for indoor baseball/football/softball
OmahaMillard Athletic Association$20,50025% reimbursement of indoor artificial turf for baseball, football, and softball
OmahaOmaha Public Schools$153,59825% reimbursement of 18 playgrounds
OmahaSt. Bernard's Catholic Church$5,02825% reimbursement of playground mats
OmahaThe Salvation Army Kroc Center$8,50025% reimbursement of artificial turf for indoor soccer field
OmahaUniversity of Nebraska-Omaha Board of Regents$155,51925% reimbursement of artificial turf soccer field with shock layer
OrdLower Loup Natural Resources District$21,404250-ton scrap tire cleanup for six counties
OsmondOsmond Community School$14,65850% reimbursement of 103,350 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Pawnee CityPawnee County$7,17480-ton scrap tire cleanup
PenderPender Public Schools$5,01725% reimbursement of playground mats
PeruCity of Peru$2,15425-ton scrap tire cleanup for the City of Peru
PeruPeru State College$86,49025% reimbursement of artificial turf football field
PetersburgVillage of Petersburg$3,93650% reimbursement 27,300 pounds of playground rubber mulch
PiercePierce County$13,270150-ton scrap tire cleanup
PilgerVillage of PIlger$4,72514' dump-box trailer for transporting scrap metal for recycling
PlattsmouthCass County Government$80,900Update Cass County's Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. Also establish scrap metal recycling locations.
PlattsmouthPlattsmouth Community Schools$187,92425% reimbursement of artificial turf football and baseball fields/shock layer & track
PoncaDixon County, Nebraska$9,732100-ton scrap tire cleanup
RalstonRalston Public Schools - Elementary Schools$8,23050% reimbursement of 39,800 pounds of playground rubber mulch
RalstonRalston Public Schools - High School$2,38925% reimbursement of poured-in-place surface
RalstonSt Gerald School$10,09050% reimbursement of 62,400 pounds of playground rubber mulch
RavennaCity of Ravenna$12,11550% reimbursement of 104,000 pounds of playground rubber mulch
Red CloudRed Cloud Community Schools$4,62250% reimbursement of 20,010 pounds of playground rubber mulch
SchuylerKeep Schuyler Beautiful$3,500Electronics collection event for citizens in Schuyler and Colfax County
SchuylerCity of Schuyler$10,473125-ton scrap tire cleanup for Colfax County
SchuylerKeep Schuyler Beautiful$35925% reimbursement 6 benches
SchuylerSchuyler Community Schools$6,83850% reimbursement of 48,750 pounds of playground rubber mulch
ScottsbluffKeep Scottsbluff Gering Beautiful$25,000One HHW collection event and one pharmaceutical collection event plus recycling containers for schools and small businesses
SewardSeward Saline Waste Mgmt.$7,496Recycling bin trailer for use in Seward-Saline County area
SewardCity of Seward$3,00450% reimbursement of 13,973 pounds of playground rubber mulch
ShelbyShelby-Rising City Public School$1,71350% reimbursement of 11,700 pounds of playground rubber mulch
SheltonShelton Public School$4,97150% reimbursement of 46,680 pounds of playground rubber mulch
South Sioux CityCubby Care Campus$2,75250% reimbursement of 15,600 pounds of playground rubber mulch
St. PaulCity of St. Paul$90550% reimbursement of 6,591 pounds of playground rubber mulch
StapletonVillage of Stapleton$23,740200-ton scrap tire cleanup
TecumsehJohnson County$8,352100-ton scrap tire cleanup
TecumsehCity of Tecumseh$8,62125% reimbursement of poured-in-place and benches; 50% reimbursement of mulch
TecumsehSt. Andrew Catholic School$3,61025% reimbursement of poured-in-place playground surface
TekamahCuming County$43,000500-ton scrap tire cleanup for ten counties
ThedfordUpper Loup Natural Resources District$10,000Purchase baler for paper & cardboard recycling
WahooSaunders County Highway Department$9,776120-ton scrap tire cleanup
WayneCity of Wayne$2,970Host an electronics recycling event
WayneWayne County$10,664120-ton scrap tire cleanup
WayneCity of Wayne$2,66025% reimbursement of bonded rubber poured-in-place
WayneWayne State Foundation$102,04025% reimbursement of artificial turf football field
WilberSaline County$18,105225-ton scrap tire cleanup
WilberThe Gingerbread House$2,30750% reimbursement of 7,800 pounds of playground rubber mulch
YorkYork Area Solid Waste Agency$23,940300-ton scrap tire cleanup for five counties