The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has awarded $2,027,679 in grants for waste reduction and recycling projects.

The grants are available through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund. Money is generated by landfill fees, an annual retail business sales fee, and a fee assessed on the sale of new tires.

Tire fee grants totaling more than $2.5 million for projects related to tire recycling were previously announced in May.

Grant recipients announced last week in Southeast Nebraska include:

* The Nebraska Pharmacy Foundation, Nebraska MEDS Program, Lincoln, $13,357, to educate patients about proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications. The project will provide educational materials to pharmacies, libraries and other businesses for distribution to consumers in Nebraska.

* Journal Star Recycling, Lincoln, $19,891, to fund two recycling trailers for use at "eco-friendly" events. Matching funds will be used for production of a 16-page recycling guide.

* Keep Nebraska Beautiful, Lincoln, $31,038, to continue development of five statewide programs; also $73,757 for continuation of the Waste Exchange Program.

* Recycling Enterprises of Nebraska, Inc., Lincoln, $17,303, to buy trailer and containers for recycling site; also $200,000 for a horizontal auto tie baler to increase the volume of materials processed at the recycling center.

* City of Lincoln, $18,139, for continuation of "Lincoln Recycles" education campaign; also $78,300 to buy 22 recycling containers of various sizes for the city's drop-off program, and contractual funds to construct a concrete pad at the Malcolm drop off site.

* City of Tecumseh, $42,500, for a brush chipper for clearing right-of-ways, electric line clearances and removal of dead trees.

* Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, $58,725, for six to eight household hazardous waste collection events in Lancaster County, which includes two usable paint exchanges, two conditionally exempt small quantity generator collection events, and the Safe Homes for Seniors Project; also $40,000, for educational and technical program for community needs regarding the reduction of toxic and hazardous waste generated by consumers and businesses.

* University of Nebraska-Lincoln, $199,919, this is a two-year grant, in collaboration with WasteCap of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska and the Partners in Pollution Prevention (P3) Program. The project uses student employees to provide on-site case studies, source reduction research and assistance to Nebraska businesses.

For a complete list of recipients visit the DEQ Web site: www.deq.state.ne.us.