Dive Brief:

• Nebraska recycles a lower percentage of its total waste than states that neighbor it, according to a new study of recycling rates in the state.
• Nebraska recycles just 17% of its waste, which is an improvement from its 2013 recycling rate of 11.4%, but still behind the latest national average rate of 34.5% from 2012.
• The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, the UNL Bureau of Sociological Research, and the Joslyn Institute of Sustainable Communities collaborated on the Nebraska Recycling Study. The study was compiled with surveys of city and county officials, surveys of recyclers, through review of recycling practices throughout the state, and through review of other public information.

Dive Insight:

The Nebraska Recycling Study answers questions of why Nebraskans recycle so little, compared to their neighbors, but it also points to ways to improve. The study’s findings included a recognition of gaps in availability of recycling, and that the state has no comprehensive plan to improve its recycling.