Living on a few acres puts added responsibility on how people handle waste materials. Many of the conveniences associated with waste removal and recycling in urban settings are not always available in the country. In the past, rural residents took care of their own waste by putting it in a dump site on their property. This practice is now prohibited in Nebraska and heavy fines can be incurred if anyone is found with an open dump site. Using local licensed dump sites and available services as well as recycling is imperative for acreage and rural residents.

Managing Wastes

Information Sources

• Nebraska State Recycling Association
800-248-7328
• Appliance Recycling Information Center
(202) 434-7492
• Keep Nebraska Beautiful
402-486-4562
• EPA Hazardous Waste Hotline (spills)
800-424-9346
• Chemicals Referral Center
800-262-8200
•Clean Community System
(check locally)
• National Paint and Coatings Association, Inc.
1500 Rhode Island Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005-5597
• Steel Can Recycling Institute
800-876-SCRI

Recycling

Plastics
The plastic industry has responded to the problem of recycling by developing a series of cryptic markers, commonly seen on the bottom of plastic containers. Separate plastics accordingly.

Glass and Metals
Glass, steel (or " tin" ) and aluminum are easy to recognize and recycle. Separate glass according to its color. Not all glass can be recycled. Glass found in light bulbs, cookware and windows can't be recycled because ceramics were added to the glass when it was made.

Paper
Most types of paper can be recycled. Newspapers have been recycled profitably for decades.

Compost
Food and yard scraps placed in a special bin are converted into a valuable garden soil amendment in a matter of weeks. Composting can easily reduce by half the volume of yard waste and kitchen vegetable waste a household sends to a landfill.

Household Toxic Materials
Items such as poisons, paints, oil, solvents, automotive fluids, cleaners, pesticides and many others must not be dumped into the garbage. The best thing to do is use what you buy and buy only what you need.

Household and Vehicle Batteries
Dry cell batteries contribute about 88 percent of the total mercury and 50 percent of the cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. Recycle waste batteries if possible.
Vehicle batteries are banned from disposal in Nebraska landfills. To reduce waste, buy longer-life batteries that may result in fewer batteries to recycle.

Household Appliances and Tires
Land disposal of discarded household appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, furnaces and water heaters is prohibited.
Tires are restricted from landfills as they are not easily compacted, do not decompose readily, consume space and, due to the hollow shape, trap air and other gases in the tires.

Open Burning
An increasing number of wildfires resulting from careless open burning has prompted regulation of this activity. Persons who wish to do some open burning must secure a burning permit from the fire chief who has jurisdiction in their area. Burning trash in an approved incinerator or burning barrel with a safety top screen is not classified as open burning; therefore, no permit is required for this activity.

Quiz

1. Is a burning permit required for open burning on private property? Yes No
2. Are open dump sites on private property banned and is open dumping punishable in most counties? Yes No
3. Is the best thing to do with household toxics to use what you buy, and buy only what you need? Yes No

If you answered No to any of these questions you need to contact the State Health Department or your local health department for local waste management regulations.