Omaha Student Organized Large Cardboard Recycling Drive

A sixth-grader from Andersen Middle School collected 500 pounds of cardboard to reduce local waste.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Secondary Education

Omaha Student Organized Large Cardboard Recycling Drive

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Should your local school district more actively encourage student-led community service and civic programs?

Kenzlie Reed, a sixth-grade student at Andersen Middle School, successfully organized a recycling initiative that diverted over 500 pounds of cardboard from the trash. Reed serves on the Nebraska Kid Governor cabinet, a youth program focused on civic engagement.

Why it matters

This student-led project highlights how local youth can actively reduce environmental impact in their own neighborhoods and across Nebraska. Reed initiated the effort specifically to decrease waste accumulation in her community.

The collection reached over 500 pounds, a significant total for a student-led school project. Nebraska is currently one of only five states nationwide that operates a formal kid governor program.

The players

Kenzlie Reed

A sixth-grade student at Andersen Middle School and member of the Nebraska Kid Governor cabinet.

Andersen Middle School

The Omaha-based educational institution that supported Reed in coordinating her recycling collection.

Nebraska Kid Governor

A state-level civic program for fifth-grade students that fosters leadership and encourages community service.

The details

Reed organized the effort by coordinating with teachers and fellow students to gather packaging materials. The initiative focused on collecting cardboard deliveries from both her neighborhood in West Omaha and Andersen Middle School. This structured approach allowed for the efficient aggregation and recycling of materials that might otherwise have been sent to a landfill.

January 2026: Kenzlie Reed was inaugurated as a member of the Nebraska Kid Governor cabinet.
September 2026: Reed participated in a youth panel for the Civic Nebraska Strengthening Democracy Award.
October 16, 2026: Deadline for teacher nominations for the next Nebraska Kid Governor fifth-grade cohort.

The Home Front

This effort aligns with broader trends in student civic engagement supported by the Nebraska Kid Governor program. Such programs are increasingly used across five states to encourage hands-on community service projects among primary and secondary school students.

Families interested in similar community projects can coordinate with local schools to identify opportunities for neighborhood-wide recycling collections. Start by checking your school district's policies on student-led environmental initiatives or by supporting your student's involvement in civic programs.

The takeaway

Youth-led recycling projects demonstrate how simple community collections can effectively manage waste and encourage civic responsibility. Encourage your own middle-schoolers to identify local environmental needs and work with school faculty to organize scalable, neighborhood-focused solutions.