Walthill Archives - Papio NRD

Free Electronic Waste Recycling Collections Next Week

Been wondering what to do with those old TVs, radios, and other electronics that have completely overstayed their welcome? We’ve got you covered.

The Papio NRD’s annual free electronic waste (e-waste) recycling collections take place next week in Burt, Dakota, Thurston, and Washington counties.

Collection Dates and Times (at NRD/USDA Service Centers)

Tuesday, May 20

Tekamah (Burt County): 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – 539 S. 13^th Street
Blair (Washington County) 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – 1060 Wilbur Street

Thursday, May 22

Walthill (Thurston County) 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – 106 S. Costello Street
Dakota City (Dakota County) 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. – 1505 Broadway

E-waste will only be accepted during the scheduled times, rain or shine, from residents and most businesses located in the four counties.

Items Accepted

Items that will be accepted at the collections include computers, monitors, televisions (including big screen and console TVs), printers, office equipment, DVD/VHS players, audio equipment, radios and other small electronic devices. All data containing devices (computers, tablets, cell phones) are shredded or wiped in accordance with DOD standards by Midwest Electronic Recovery. If certificates of recycling and/or destruction are required, participants must call for instructions at least 24 hours before the collection.

Items Not Accepted

We will not accept large appliances such as microwaves, dehumidifiers, water heaters, freezers or refrigerators of any size. Waste will not be accepted from computer or electronics repair/retail businesses.

Proper recycling and disposal of e-waste protects the environment from mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other toxic materials contained in electronic components. Recycling also conserves limited landfill space in our rural communities. The Papio NRD has collected over 538,000 pounds of e-waste through these collections.

The Papio NRD partners with the Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D Council to organize the collections. Funding is provided through the Litter Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Program and Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

For more information, please contact one of our Field Office representatives in your county:

Burt, Washington, Douglas & Sarpy counties: Deb Ward at 402-374-1920 ext. 3
Thurston County: Tamara Tipton at 402-846-5655
Dakota County: Mahkenna Koinzan at 402-494-4949

Tami Tipton – Employee Spotlight

Today we shine the spotlight on Tami Tipton – a really cool “chick.”

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Omaha, District 66-Rockbrook area.

What does your job entail (job duties and how does your work impact the public)?

My job entails promoting programs that are offered by the Papio NRD. I also support the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency staff with maintaining tract files associated with farms in the county as well as doing associated administrative work. My work impacts the public through education and outreach about programs offered by the Papio NRD. Specifically promoting the tree program and E-WASTE event.

What’s the most unique thing in your office or on your desk right now?

The most unique thing on my desk is a sign I have displayed; “MY BIRTHSTONE IS A COFFEE BEAN”.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work (hobbies, volunteering, etc.)?

Outside of work I try to maintain my kids’ schedule with sports/dance/gymnastics and recently, musical practice. I also love to read, cook, bake and in the summer, we spend most weekends at our cabin on the Missouri River.

I am learning about raising backyard chickens. We recently added 6 chicks to our household. We also have a 12-year-old goldendoodle named Remy. I recently volunteered at a community fundraiser for the Walthill Senior center. In the fall right after I started working with the Papio NRD I volunteered with other NRDs, UNL Extension, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the 6th Grade Conservation Day event at Summit Lake in Tekamah.

What educational background or experience do you bring to your role (degree(s), coursework, skills learned, etc.)?

I was a certified Medical Assistant (Methodist College graduate) in Omaha for 19 years prior to moving to Pender, NE. During that time, I finished my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Grace University in 2011.

Is there family, significant other, or furry friend information you’d like to share?

Husband-Gabe, son-Hunter (11), daughter-Isabel (8)

My hubby grew up in Walthill. I met Gabe in Omaha in 2008, we were married in 2010. We moved to Pender in 2019, wanting our children to grow up in a more rural setting.

What is your favorite band(s)?

Right now, I’m listening to Zack Bryan AND the new Taylor Swift album on REPEAT.

Scrap Computer & Electronics Recycling Collections

The Papio-Missouri River NRD’s free electronic waste (e-waste) recycling collections are coming up! Residents and most businesses in the Papio NRD service area can participate in these convenient events.

Simply gather unwanted e-waste, drive to a scheduled collection site, get in line, stay in your vehicle and collection staff will unload for you. The collections will accept computers, monitors, televisions, printers, office equipment, DVD/VHS players, audio equipment, radios and other small electronic devices.

Collection Dates and Times

The collections will be held at the Papio NRD/USDA Service Centers in Blair, Tekamah, Dakota City, and Walthill.

The collection schedule is:

Tuesday, May 25^th in Tekamah and Blair

Tekamah collection (539 S. 13th St.) – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Blair collection (1060 Wilbur St.) – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 27^th in Dakota City and Walthill

Dakota City collection (1505 Broadway) – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Walthill collection (106 Costello St.) – 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

E-waste will ONLY be accepted during the scheduled times and locations rain or shine! E-waste will not be accepted from computer or electronics repair/retail businesses. The collections will NOT accept microwaves or appliances. Midwest Electronic Recovery will wipe or shred all computer hard drives and recycle the materials collected.

The annual collections have received more than 193 tons of e-waste and 97% of it has been recycled. Recycling e-waste protects the environment from contamination by mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium present in e-waste components and also conserves landfill space.

Funding for the free e-waste collections is provided through the Litter Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Program and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. Please contact Deb Ward at (402) 374-1920 ext. 3 for more information.