History

INFORM

WasteCap Nebraska got its start in 1992 with the creation of the Industrialized Nebraskans for Organized Recycling Management (INFORM), formed by a small group of Lincoln businesses. Their intention was to facilitate better commercial recycling services with regard to cost, payment for commodities and quality of service. INFORM worked with the City of Lincoln and the Nebraska State Recycling Association (NSRA) to develop a recycling cooperative and create an RFP for fiber recycling services.  This expanded the nascent recycling market in Lincoln.

WasteCap of Lincoln

Between 1992 and 1994, the City of Lincoln provided seed money to create an administrative/educational arm to INFORM. The City and INFORM forged a partnership with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (LCOC), which created WasteCap of Lincoln as a program of the LCOC. WasteCap of Lincoln worked with local businesses to train voluntary waste assessors that would help businesses get started on their recycling programs.

WasteCap provided Master Agreements for members, providing discounts on recycling services for various materials including fluorescent lighting, batteries, ballasts and electronic waste.

WasteCap Nebraska

From 2004–2005, the board of directors held discussions related to statewide expansion and its potential impact on the relationship with its parent organization, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. On March 1, 2006, WasteCap formally separated from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, becoming a separate non-profit corporation. In 2006, WasteCap became a 501(c)6 nonprofit member association, and in 2011 WasteCap Nebraska changed its tax status to a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization.