Keep Northeast Nebraska clean and healthy. Find recycling locations in your county and learn what materials can be recycled locally.
About Recycling in Our Region
Recycling reduces waste sent to landfills, conserves natural resources, and protects environmental and public health. Each of the four counties NNPHD serves — Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne — offers recycling options for residents and businesses.
Materials accepted vary by location. Please contact your local recycling center directly for specific guidelines on preparation, sorting, and drop-off hours.
Recycling Centers by County
Wayne County
Wayne Recycling Center
Contact Wayne city offices for current hours and accepted materials.
Phone: (402) 375-1733
Cedar County
Hartington Recycling
Community recycling drop-off available in Hartington. Contact for hours.
Laurel Recycling
Serving Laurel and surrounding communities in Cedar County.
Dixon County
Ponca Recycling
Drop-off location in Ponca serving Dixon County residents.
Allen/Emerson Area
Contact local village offices for recycling options.
Thurston County
Pender Recycling
Community recycling in Pender — contact village office for hours.
Walthill/Winnebago
Contact local tribal or municipal offices for recycling options.
What You Can Typically Recycle
Paper & Cardboard
Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, cardboard boxes (flattened).
Plastic Bottles & Containers
Most #1 PET and #2 HDPE bottles and jugs. Rinse and remove caps as directed.
Metal Cans
Aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans. Rinse clean before recycling.
Glass
Glass bottles and jars (some locations). Check with your center — not all accept glass.
Special Recycling
Paint, pesticides, cleaners, automotive fluids, and similar materials should never go in regular trash or recycling. Watch for local hazardous waste collection events, or contact the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for disposal options.
Old computers, TVs, phones, and other electronics contain valuable and sometimes hazardous materials. Many counties hold periodic e-waste collection events. Some retailers also accept electronics for recycling.
Never flush medications down the drain. Local law enforcement and some pharmacies offer drug take-back programs. Contact NNPHD for current drop-off locations in our region.
Many auto parts stores and service stations accept used motor oil and automotive batteries. Rechargeable batteries can often be dropped off at electronics retailers.
Used tires can be dropped off at most tire retailers (usually for a small fee per tire). Never burn tires or dump them illegally — tire piles are fire hazards and breed mosquitoes.
Reduce & Reuse First
Recycling is important, but reducing waste in the first place is even better. Consider:
- Using reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and coffee cups
- Buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste
- Composting food scraps and yard waste
- Donating usable clothing, furniture, and household items
- Repairing items instead of replacing them
Need help finding recycling options? Contact NNPHD Environmental Health at (402) 375-2200 and we will connect you with the right resource for your location.