NDEE awards $150K to Red Willow County

The Red Willow County hazardous waste facility is located at 108 West Railroad Service Road in McCook

McCook Gazette

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has announced the award of $9,798,781 in grants to support 136 projects across the state, including a grant for $150K for Red Willow County.

The grants will help fund waste and litter reduction projects and recycling programs, as well as pay costs for scrap tire cleanups and collections for household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and pharmaceuticals.

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

Of the $9.8 million granted, Southwest Nebraska communities benefiting from the program were:

-$150K to Red Willow County for “Funds to continue HHW collection through their new collection box program.”

-$49,136 to the City of Holdrege for collection of 350 tons of scrap tires

-$18,732 to the City of Benkelman for collection of 125 tons of scrap tires

-$22,194 to the Village of Stockville for collection of 150 tons of scrap tires

Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive funds are derived from fees on solid waste disposed of in landfills, an annual retail business sales fee, and a surcharge on new tire sales. The funds support local integrated waste management projects, including recycling systems, household hazardous waste collections, and composting initiatives. In 2025, 24 projects received funding under the Business Fee and Disposal Fee categories, totaling $3,001,424.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive program also includes Scrap Tire funds, generated from a $1 fee on new tires purchased in Nebraska. In 2025, 58 grants totaling $2,500,919 were awarded. The funding will support 22 scrap tire cleanup events across the state, removing approximately 6,035 tons of scrap tires. Additionally, funds will be used to partially reimburse the cost of products made from recycled scrap tires, such as artificial turf for sports fields, athletic running tracks, and playground surfacing.

Litter Reduction and Recycling funds come from fees imposed on manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of products commonly contributing to litter. Since 1979, the program has provided annual grants to support public education, cleanup, and recycling efforts. In 2025, 54 litter grants totaling $4,296,438 were awarded. Public education grants fund school and community programs that promote litter reduction and recycling. Cleanup grants support Nebraska residents of all ages in removing litter and debris from highways, waterways, recreation areas, urban spaces, and other public lands—often leading to the recycling of collected materials. Recycling grants prioritize projects that develop markets for recycled materials or encourage the purchase of recycled-content products, providing an environmentally responsible alternative to landfill disposal.