Click on the map to explore Nebraska Organics Recycling Feedstock and Infrastructure ArcGIS Instant App.
Nebraska relies heavily on landfilling, despite yard waste bans preventing an estimated 150,000 tons of yard waste from entering landfills annually (Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy [NDEE], n.d.). Based on Iowa’s waste characterization data (Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 2022) and EPA per-capita waste generation estimates (EPA, 2023a), Nebraska landfills approximately 387,184 tons of organic material each year.
This grant objective conducted state-specific research to help guide Nebraska toward more sustainable organic materials management. It aligns with several measures outlined in the ONE RED initiative (Nebraska’s priority climate action plan), including:
- Agricultural Registry and Grants Program: A three-pronged strategy involving a Carbon Intensity (CI) Score Registry with incentives, adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, and precision agriculture equipment for enhanced efficiency.
- Anaerobic Digester/Biogas Hub Program: Establishing a regional biogas facility near existing natural gas pipelines, utilizing biogas sourced from local animal feeding operations.
- Biochar Incentive Program: Funding for facilities that convert woody organic waste into biochar, enhancing carbon storage in soils.