City Urges Proper Disposal of Fireworks Debris

Published on June 28, 2024

Keep Lincoln and Lancaster County Beautiful (KLLCB) and Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) encourage residents to dispose of unused fireworks and fireworks debris properly and safely following Independence Day celebrations. Residents’ efforts will help keep waste haulers and City landfill staff safe from injury, while also protecting local waterways.

Residents are urged to follow these recommendations for fireworks disposal:

• Cooled fireworks debris must be soaked in a water-filled metal bucket or a bucket with sand and placed in regular trash for disposal. Unexploded fireworks should not be placed in regular trash bins or recycling bins.
• Cardboard tubes and casings used for fireworks are not recyclable and must be treated as garbage and sent to the landfill. Fireworks debris and containers are not allowed at City recycling collector sites or in curbside recycling bins.

“Litter that is washed down storm drains eventually flows into streams, rivers and lakes, and the potentially harmful substances in fireworks can pollute the environment and harm aquatic life,” said Erin Kubicek, Environmental Health Educator. “If it is in our streets, it is in our streams, so remember ‘only rain in the drain.’”

As part of the effort to encourage others to dispose of fireworks safely, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department offers free yard signs with the message “If you blow it up, clean it up. Protect our water. Prevent Litter. Clean up firework debris.” Signs are available through July 3 and can be picked up at the Health Department, 3131 “O” St., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Signs are on the first floor near the north entrance.

City ordinance allows the sale and use of permissible fireworks only from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. July 4 each year.

KLLCB is a program of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. LTU Watershed Management assists in protecting Lincoln’s lakes and streams. Solid Waste Management assists with proper disposal. The fireworks debris prevention effort is funded in part by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

For more information on reducing litter in the community, visit lincoln.ne.gov (search: clean streets).