Grand Island Area Clean Community System is a proud affiliate of the national Keep America Beautiful program, as well as Keep Nebraska Beautiful. We work with businesses, schools, neighborhood groups and local governments to enhance our neighborhoods by reducing, reusing, and recycling our world’s resources for future generations. Our facility and programs are supported by public and private donations, grants from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Environmental Trust, and financial support from the City of Grand Island, Hall County, Hamilton County, Howard County, Merrick County, Central Platte Natural Resource District, and Lower Loup Natural Resources District.

Our History

Grand Island Area Clean Community System (CCS) was founded in 1981 by its former Executive Director, Betty Curtis. For those who had a chance to know Betty, she was nothing less than a visionary who took tremendous pride in her community. In 2013, our current location was renamed the “Betty Curtis Household Hazardous Waste Facility” after her sudden passing. Our facility currently serve more than 120,000 residents in the counties of Hall, Adams, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick; however, we never turn anyone away.

As a community, we should continue to be aware of what products can be recycled and strive to improve recycling behaviors in our workplace and at home. Most research conducted about recycling behavior has focused on residential or curbside conditions. In a national poll of adults 18-65, when asked, 87% of respondents indicated that they typically recycle in their home, but only 41% indicated they do so in the workplace. 50% of those respondents indicated that it is difficult to extremely difficult to recycle in the workplace. (Survey conducted 8/28-9/14, 2014 by C&R Research, Inc. on behalf of KAB and the Ad Council).

To ensure that future generations are educated about recycling and how easy it is to do, our Keep Grand Island Beautiful Coordinator works with all ages to help educate them on proper recycling and litter control. Community education can reflect any number of the areas, including education about recycling, litter and cigarette litter, or keeping our community clean. Our customized presentations have been conducted in school classrooms, child care facilities, businesses, clubs, and professional groups.