Lincoln, NE – Upper Loup NRD announced today that it will receive $21, 424.00 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the “Upper Loup NRD Recycling Program”. The Trust Board announced funding for the project at its meeting on April 1, 2010 in Lincoln. This is the first year of award with a potential for second and third year funding totaling $54,977. The project is one of the 88 projects receiving $14,970,328 in grant awards from the Nebraska Environmental Trust this year.

The Upper Loup Natural Resources District (ULNRD) is a governmental agency that is dedicated to conserving and protecting our natural resources. To promote conservation, water quality and waste reduction in the Upper Loup District, the ULNRD will receive Trust funds to implement and expand recycling efforts in the ULNRD. A survey had been done by the ULNRD, with the villages of the District, to determine interest and a need for recycling efforts. The results of the survey, in general, found that the villages understand the importance and benefits of recycling, but stated that without the help from a partner it is not feasible. The three year project is designed to place a total of five, 6-bin recycling trailers throughout the district and to provide regular transport of these trailers to the end market. The overall goal is to establish a sustainable recycling program District-wide. By the end of the 3 year grant period our target goal is to reduce the amount of municipal and rural solid waste disposed of by 608 tons (25%).
Recycling trailers are located in Halsey, Hyannis, Thedford, and Stapleton. Two additional trailers are planned to be placed in 2011, one in Dunning and one in Mullen.

The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $157 million in grants to 1,231 projects across the state. Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses – can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.

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