Tire Recycling Event
2026 Free Scrap Tire Recycling Event was another incredible success, and we want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who participated, volunteered, partnered with us, and helped make it happen!
Every tire recycled yesterday is one less tire that could end up in a ditch, creek, field, illegal dump site, or become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. That's why we do this. Our mission is simple: to help keep Beatrice and all of Gage County clean, safe, and beautiful.
Many people don't realize what goes into making a free event like this possible.
Each year, Keep Beatrice Beautiful applies for grant funding through the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE). The funding is competitive and limited.
This year, only 36 of Nebraska's 93 counties will offer free scrap tire collection events because of the funding received, and we're grateful Keep Beatrice Beautiful received funding so we could provide this for Gage County.
The amount of funding each county receives determines how many tons of tires can be recycled. Gage County was fortunate to receive one of the largest tonnage allocations in the state, but even that has limits. Once that grant-funded tonnage is reached, we legally cannot continue accepting tires.
Planning begins months in advance. We coordinate with DWEE, tire recyclers, Gage County, the City of Beatrice, volunteers, equipment operators, law enforcement, traffic control, and many other partners to ensure the event is safe, efficient, and available at no cost to Gage County residents.
We've also read many of your comments, and we hear your frustrations.
We understand it is disappointing when the event fills before some people get off work or before everyone has a chance to participate. We wish we had enough funding and resources to accept every tire from every person who wanted to come. Unfortunately, that's simply beyond what the grant allows.
Some have questioned why businesses, farmers, or government entities are allowed to participate. This event is intended to benefit all of Gage County. Local farms, small businesses, municipalities, and other organizations are part of our community too, and properly recycling their tires also prevents illegal dumping and protects our environment.
In addition, many of these same organizations make yearly monetary donations, donate equipment, land, employees, and countless volunteer hours that help make this event possible.
Our goal has never been to choose one group over another. Our goal is to remove as many scrap tires from Gage County as possible within the funding we've been awarded.
Your comments also tell us something encouraging: there is a tremendous need for programs like this.
We will continue working to seek funding, build partnerships, and look for ways to improve future events. We can't promise we'll be able to accommodate every request, but we can promise we'll keep advocating for Gage County and working hard to provide opportunities like this.
Thank you again to everyone who participated, volunteered, and supported this event. Together, we're making a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful Gage County—one tire at a time. 
The next Tire Event is planned for 2028 if funding is secured through grants.
