Between 1992 and 2003, public sector recycling efforts added 4.5 years to the life of the landfill. If the City would stop its public sector recycling programs and instead bury the material in the landfill, it would close six years earlier in 2020 instead of the current projection of 2026.
There are several recycling programs that the Recycling Office either started or took over for the City of Lincoln.
- Christmas Tree Recycling: The first Christmas Tree Recycling Program in the State, started December 1987.
- Drop-off Sites: Assumed responsibility for voluntary recycling drop-off program started by Citizens for Environmental Improvement (CEI) in 1990.
- Yard Waste Composting: Started in October 1992
- Wood Chipping: Started in December, 1987
- Internal Office Paper Recycling: Manages an internal office paper recycling program within the local government. Started in the mid-1970's.
- Buy Recycled: Promotes the purchase of recycled content products within local government. Started in October, 1995
- Local Business Recycling: Working with WasteCap Nebraska to promote recycling in local businesses. Started in September, 1995.
- S.M.A.R.T. Program Save Money and Reduce Trash - buying in bulk, reusing grocery bags, and renting items you need temporarily are a few ways to save money and reduce trash.
