Join the Nebraska Recycling Council for the 2026 Annual Fall Conference, Beyond the Bin. Our solution-driven conference will focus on the future of recycling, waste reduction, and circular economy practices. This year’s theme highlights strategies that go beyond the recycling bin, featuring community-driven approaches to reduce waste, recover valuable materials, and address special waste and organics management. Attendees will connect with national industry leaders and local practitioners to exchange ideas, explore best practices, and drive meaningful change across Nebraska and the Midwest.

Registration for 2026 is now closed. 

President, Eco Partners, Inc.

For more than three decades, Elizabeth Roe has been helping public agencies and private companies communicate with the public about recycling, waste reduction, water pollution prevention, sustainability, and more. Specializing in high-quality, cost-effective, local newsletters, Eco Partners serves communities across the United States. Elizabeth has led sessions on communications planning and messaging across media channels at various state, regional, and national conferences. 

District 24, Nebraska Legislature

Title: Legislative Developments Affecting Nebraska’s Recycling Systems

Senator Jana (Luebbe) Hughes grew up on a family farm near Goehner, Nebraska, where she learned the value of hard work and self-reliance. A 1989 graduate of Seward High School, Senator Hughes attended Texas A&M University where she majored in Industrial Engineering. Upon graduation, she worked as a consulting engineer for Kurt Salmon Associates in Atlanta, GA before returning to Nebraska. In 1996 she married her husband, John Hughes. They have three children – Lena, Anna and Hank.  

In 2018 Senator Hughes was elected to the Seward School Board and in 2021 she received her certification as a substitute teacher for Seward Public Schools.  Senator Hughes was elected to the Nebraska Legislature for District 24 in 2022 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee, is the Vice Chair of the Education Committee and Chair of the Building and Maintenance Committee, as well as a member of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and the Education Commission of the States. 

Senior Project Manager, SCS Engineers

Title: Nebraska Material Characterization Study Results

Jeff Phillips is a Senior Project Manager with SCS Engineers and has more than 24 years of experience overseeing solid waste management projects for municipalities, solid waste agencies, and both private and public entities. Jeff manages and performs project work primarily related to Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) such as program, services, and facility assessments, community engagement and outreach, training, and strategic planning. Jeff has presented and led round table discussions at state and national conferences on safety and environmental topics.