Recycling, Resilience, and Community

By Kimberly Carroll Steward

As we begin a new year and welcome in 2026, I want to take a moment to speak candidly with our Nebraska Recycling Council community and, most importantly, to say thank you to everyone who has supported this organization and our mission.

Over the past several weeks, the Nebraska Recycling Council has been navigating an unexpected and challenging funding landscape. Two major sources of support that help sustain our programs and operations are currently uncertain, including funding that directly supports recycling infrastructure and access to equipment across Nebraska. These developments have required us to carefully evaluate our finances, plan thoughtfully, and advocate strongly for the programs and services that communities across the state rely on.

While this moment is difficult, it has also been deeply affirming.

The outpouring of support we have received—from communities, partners, local governments, businesses, and individuals—has been nothing short of humbling. We have heard stories of impact from every corner of the state: how recycling equipment funded through NRC’s Recycling Equipment Grants program has expanded access, strengthened local programs, reduced waste, and delivered real environmental and economic benefits to Nebraskans. Your messages, calls, letters of support, and public comments have reinforced our mission and renewed our purpose: this work matters, and it has made a lasting change across the state.

Recycling in Nebraska has never been just about bins and equipment. It is about stewardship, local resilience, economic opportunity, innovation, ingenuity, and doing the right thing to preserve the “Good Life” for future generations. NRC and its partners have worked together to build systems that keep valuable materials out of landfills, protect natural resources, and support communities both large and small.

As we move into 2026, NRC remains committed to that mission. We will continue to advocate for stable, transparent, and effective funding for recycling programs. We will continue to show up, collaborate, and adapt. And we will continue to serve as a trusted resource for recycling education, infrastructure, and policy across the state.

Your support—whether through membership, advocacy, partnership, or simply believing in the value of recycling—makes a difference. We are grateful to be part of such a dedicated and engaged community, and we look forward to continuing this work together.

The NRC team and I are awaiting the January 8^th Nebraska Environmental Trust Board meeting to hear what decisions are made, but rest assured, regardless of the outcome, we will continue to support recycling efforts across the state.

Our work may look different in 2026, but our mission continues.

Thank you for your support: REG funding status update

By Grace Barton

In September, Nebraska Recycling Council submitted our application for our Recycling Equipment Grant (REG) project to Nebraska Environmental Trust. Mid-December, notice that our application for the cycle beginning July 2026 (26-146) was not recommended for funding.

We have been deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received in response to this recommendation. To everyone who submitted written testimonies to Nebraska Environmental Trust’s board – thank you. Your firsthand accounts of how REG has strengthened your organizations, served communities, and protected Nebraska’s natural environment will play a critical role through the board’s decision making process.

If you did not have the opportunity to write a testimony and would like to support NRC, a public hearing will be held to accept testimony in-person:

January 8, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. CT

Nebraska Environmental Trust Office | 2077 N Street, Suite 310 Lincoln, NE 68510

The NET Board will make final funding decisions at this meeting based on the proposed funding recommendations.

In the meantime, Recycling Equipment Grants remain available, and we are still accepting applications! Check out the REG announcement in this newsletter to learn about our recent project improvements.

Once again, we’d like to thank everyone for their support as we navigate shifts in our funding as we continue to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of recycling in Nebraska.

Get Involved: Become a Member Today!

By Jadyn Chasek

The Nebraska Recycling Council invites you to start the year right by becoming a member in 2026! Our team has been working diligently to refresh our membership benefits to better meet the needs of our diverse members. From discounted and complimentary services to branding and marketing opportunities, there is something for individuals, businesses, and organizations alike. Above all, membership is a meaningful way to support our organization and advance recycling efforts across Nebraska.

We would LOVE to hear from YOU. Please email membership@nrcne.org with any questions or if you would like to schedule a time in January to discuss how a membership would benefit you. We know our members are unique and want to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.

For those renewing, thank you for your support of the Nebraska Recycling Council in 2025.

Check out our website for more information or to renew or join!

Looking for other ways to support the Nebraska Recycling Council?

Donations are always appreciated and play a vital role in supporting our work—especially during these challenging times, when our funding remains uncertain. Your tax-deductible contributions help ensure we can continue delivering impactful programming in waste reduction, composting, and recycling throughout Nebraska.

Donate Today

No matter how you choose to support us, we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to the Nebraska Recycling Council.

Recycling Equipment Grant Application Updates

By Grace Barton

The Recycling Equipment Grant application has been modified slightly to align with project goals, improve continuity between the application and scoring rubric, and provide clarity for applicants.

Additionally, the application is now available in more formats to improve accessibility! Applications can now be submitted through:

Any Nebraska organization, including schools, municipalities and other government entities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses, are eligible to apply.

Check out the new application and learn more at our website

If you have any questions, please email grants@nrcne.org or call 402-436-2384.

Things to Look Forward to in 2026

By Carina Olivetti

Clearer, Consistent Recycling Labels Across Nebraska

In 2026, communities across Nebraska can look forward to clearer recycling guidance right where it matters most—on bins, carts, and signage. The Nebraska Recycling Council will begin offering standardized recycling labels to communities through a simple application process.

These easy-to-understand labels, modeled on proven national best practices, will help residents quickly know what can and can’t be recycled, reducing confusion and contamination.

For communities, this means cleaner recycling streams, lower contamination-related costs, and stronger participation in local recycling programs. This effort lays the foundation for a more consistent, statewide approach to recycling communication and supports broader modernization of Nebraska’s materials management system.

Backyard Composting Comes to Communities Statewide

Food scraps and yard waste are some of the most preventable materials ending up in landfills—and in 2026, more Nebraskans will have the tools and knowledge to change that. In partnership with Nebraska Extension, NRC will launch a statewide backyard composting education campaign featuring hands-on demonstrations in five communities across the state.

Residents will learn directly from Extension experts how to compost successfully at home, building practical skills that support healthier soils and reduce landfill waste. To help jump-start participation, each event will include a raffle for free, durable compost bins, removing a common barrier, and turning education into action.

This initiative brings trusted expertise, local engagement, and practical incentives together, supporting both urban and rural communities and helping grow a culture of environmental responsibility across Nebraska.