Waste to Energy Lincoln (WTEL), a division of Uribe Refuse Services, Inc., is Lincoln’s premiere organic waste recycling service.
Our mission is to significantly improve the environmental, energy and economic performance of existing waste management practices through the recovery of energy & nutrients found in organic waste such as food scraps and yard waste.
Why it is important to keep organic (food) waste out of the landfill?
Every day when organic material is dumped into landfills. As it decomposes the air emissions released impact the health of our communities and the world. These air emissions contain methane, a greenhouse gas, causing climate change. In addition, liquid emissions called leachate endanger local groundwater resources, polluting our soils and water.
When we landfill items, we are burying precious resources that could prevent climate change, create renewable energy, nourish local soils and create jobs!
What are we doing about it?
Currently, WTEL is working with schools and businesses across Lincoln to divert food waste by collecting and hauling to the Prarieland Dairy Compost Facility.
WTEL currently diverts approximately 5 tons per day of food waste and milk cartons from the landfill through compost and recycling.
We’re not stopping there! We aim to reach 30 tons per day of diverted waste. To achieve this, we are currently in the process of building Nebraska’s first stand-alone digester, which will convert organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) that can be used to fuel vehicles and heat area homes and businesses. RNG made from organic waste produces 7-times fewer lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than diesel fuel. Over the next 25 years, Waste to Energy Lincoln will divert over 234,000 tons of organic waste from the landfill, displace up to 52 million gallons of petroleum-based fertilizer from our lawns and gardens, and reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1.5 million metric tons.
It’s an ambitious project and we can’t do it alone. Waste to Energy Lincoln is made possible by a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and by the participation of local businesses and institutions looking to save money and help make Lincoln a cleaner place to live.
If you’re an area business or institution who’s interested in getting involved, let´s Get Started today!
