Pete Stadig, Program Director of Keep Nebraska Beautiful (KNB) (knb.org), represented the state on a national stage at the 2025 ASTSWMO Joint Hazardous Waste and Materials Management Training in Kansas City, MO. Stadig was invited to present the success story of Nebraska’s School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3), an initiative that has proactively removed hazardous materials from educational institutes statewide, safeguarding students and staff.
KNB was a featured speaker in a session aptly titled “RCRA Weird and Wacky,” which focused on unique and emerging issues under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). What might seem ‘wacky’ is often a serious safety challenge for schools. Presenting in this forum highlighted that Nebraska is a leader in tackling complex environmental issues head-on.
The SC3 program addresses the hazardous legacy materials found in school science labs and storage closets. KNB provides the expertise to plan a cleanout and covers up to 90% of the cost to safely remove and dispose of old, unwanted, toxic, or dangerous chemicals. This proactive approach eliminates a significant liability for schools and, most importantly, creates a safer environment for students and teachers.
Is your Nebraska school ready to address its chemical safety needs? To learn more and begin the cleanout process, visit: (knb.org/school programs-old/school-chemical-cleanout)
Keep Nebraska Beautiful is a non-profit with a mission to enhance, preserve, and beautify Nebraska by developing and managing programs and partnerships with statewide affiliates, private industry leaders and citizens who share our passion for the environment.
For more information, visit (knb.org).