$9.8M in waste and recycling grants awarded in Nebraska

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has announced the award of $9,798,781 in grants to support 136 projects across the state. These grants will help fund waste and litter reduction projects, recycling programs and pay costs for scrap tire cleanups and collections for household hazardous waste, electronic waste and pharmaceuticals. 

“NDEE is grateful to assist local efforts that promote waste and litter reduction,” says Kara Valentine, interim department director. “The grants help out with the costs of proper disposal of many household materials and make a difference to our communities.” 

Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive funds are 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. Grants are provided to local integrated waste management projects, and can include recycling systems, household hazardous waste collections and composting. For 2025, 24 projects totaling $3,001,424 were funded under the Business Fee and Disposal Fee categories. 

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Also included in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive program are Scrap Tire funds, which are generated from a $1 fee on new tires purchased in Nebraska. In 2025, 58 grants totaling $2,500,919 were awarded. These grants will fund 22 scrap tire cleanup events across Nebraska. Enough funding was awarded to clean up 6,035 tons of scrap tires, NDEE says. Funds will also be used to partially reimburse the cost of many products made from recycled scrap tires, such as artificial turf football, soccer, baseball and softball fields, athletic running tracks and playground surfacing. 

Litter Reduction and Recycling funds are generated from a fee charged to certain manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of products that commonly contribute to litter. The program has provided grants annually since 1979.

In 2025, 54 litter grants totaling $4,296,438 were awarded in the public education, cleanup and recycling categories. Public education programs educate citizens on litter reduction and recycling through a variety of school and community activities.

Cleanup grants provide funding for Nebraska residents of all ages who pick up litter and debris along Nebraska’s highways, waterways, recreation lands, urban areas and other public use areas within the state. Not only are the public areas improved through the removal of litter, but also much of the material collected is recycled, according to NDEE. Recycling programs provide an alternative to the disposal of solid waste in Nebraska’s landfills. Priority is given to programs that promote markets for recycled materials or purchasing products made from recycled materials. 

Grant applications for 2026 will be accepted starting in June 2025.