Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson and Saline counties also are involved in the program. Hastings is the only entity to take part in the program in central Nebraska. The ability to inexpensively get rid of waste oil is a great opportunity for the area, Newlun said. There's just not a good option for the regular household to get rid of it. Used oil is banned from Nebraska landfills, which in the past, has created problems for those trying to get rid of waste oil.
Few places accept oil, and if they do, the cost can be prohibitive.
With limited options, some people turn to dumping, which filters through the soil and pollutes the groundwater. Hastings' involvement in the program was driven by frequent calls from area residents wanting to know where they could dump their oil. After the success of the Household Waste Collection Day in September when 1,500 gallons of used oil was collected from Adams County residents, Newlun looked further into options for grants to assist in year-round collection of oil. When Jefferson County decided not to participate in the state program, Newlun jumped at the chance to get the city of Hastings on board. The oil will be transported to a Norfolk asphalt company that uses the oil to fire its burners.