PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Solid Waste, 2400 Theresa Street, Lincoln, NE 68521, 441-7961, fax 441-8724

Date:                          November 13, 2008

For More Information:   Gene Hanlon, Recycling Coordinator, 441-7043

More Plastic Can Be Recycled in Lincoln
Several events planned as part of America Recycles Day

As part of America Recycles Day November 15, the City of Lincoln announced that plastic containers with the numbers 3, 4 and 5 can now be recycled at the drop-off sites in Lincoln and Lancaster County. The City had previously collected only plastic with the numbers 1 and 2.

"By expanding the types of plastic we recycle, we can keep even more trash out of our landfill," said Greg MacLean, Director of the City Public Works and Utilities Department. "Last fiscal year, residents recycled 7,437 tons of recyclables. This is a 5 percent increase over the previous year and is the largest amount of recyclables deposited at the recycling sites."

Residents can place all plastic containers numbers 1 though 5 in the same compartment at the recycling sites. The numbers are usually inside the recycling logo on the bottom of containers.

The City operates a network of 33 recycling drop-off sites in the City and County.

The public is invited to participated in several activities planned around America Recycles Day.

On Friday, November 14th, a celebration is set for 2 to 5 p.m. near the Cinema at SouthPointe Pavilions. Activities include educational displays and hands-on activities for kids. The celebration is the culmination of a recycling pledge drive. More than 1,200 residents of all ages submitted pledges to step up their recycling efforts, and the pledges served as entry forms into a prize drawing. At 3:30 p.m., winners will receive their prizes. (A list of prizes and winners follows this release.)

Several events are planned for Saturday, November 15

• The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is sponsoring a household hazardous waste collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Fair Park 4-H Youth Complex. More information is available by calling 441-8021.
• WasteCap Nebraska will sponsor the second annual "Shred Day" from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents can shred up to 75 pounds of confidential information at no cost at four locations:
  • Midland Recycling - 440 "J" Street
  • Paper Tiger Mobile Shredding - Westfield Gateway, north of the Post Office, near the "R" Street entrance
  • Shredding Solutions mobile shredding - SouthPointe Pavilions, east of the Famous Dave’s parking lot.
  • Recycling Enterprises - 6100 N. 70th St., north of Cornhusker Highway.
• Journal Star Recycling in conjunction with Midland Recycling, Techware Recycling, Hofeling Enterprises and the community of Emerald are sponsoring a Lincoln Recycles Day event from 9 a.m. to noon at two locations. Residents can take traditional recyclable materials, confidential documents for shredding, electronics and tires to 440 "J" Street. Tree trimmings and wooden pallets can be taken to Hofeling Enterprises, 2200 S. Folsom Court. All material can be deposited at no charge.

More information on America Recycles Day and recycling in Lincoln is available at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: recycle) or by calling the Recycling Office at 441-8215.

America Recycles Day Prizes

• $100 in Nebraska Lottery tickets: JoAnn Churley, Allison Thorson, Kristin Williams, Julie Brandon, Jim Tetherow, Donna Bridger, Amber Friedrich and Gary Shandera
• Free year of curbside recycling courtesy of Lincoln Journal Star Recycling, Recycle Link, Recycling Enterprises and Star City Recycling: Stephen Waltman, Adam Rupe, Ethan Kyes and Zach Chambers
• $100 Wal-Mart gift card: Jack Bergmeyer
• $100 Russ’s Market gift card: Jesse Cushman
• Grand prize - Holiday Special Computer system valued at over $1,500 courtesy of Schrock Innovations: Dan Fenstemaker
• School winner: Kahoa Elementary collected 435 pledges and will receive $250 from the Lincoln Solid Waste Management Association and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company as well as a park bench made out of recycled plastic that is valued at $450 from Firstar Fiber and Recycling Enterprises.