Lincoln launches “Love Your Land Phil” waste diversion campaign—what residents need to know
Lincoln’s “Love Your Land Phil” waste-diversion campaign starts in July. Here’s what it asks residents to change, plus the official “What Bin” tool and hotline.
Lincoln is rolling out a new waste-diversion education effort built around Land Phil, the city’s landfill “ambassador” character. The campaign, “Love Your Land Phil,” was introduced June 25, 2026, and is scheduled to begin in July—with a focus on helping residents reduce waste and improve recycling habits.
Quick take: what Lincoln residents need to know now
- Campaign name: “Love Your Land Phil.”
- Who/what is Land Phil? A waste-diversion ambassador character meant to encourage habit changes that help divert materials away from the landfill.
- When it starts: The city says it will be scheduled to begin in July (no specific day was provided in the sources).
- Where to check “bin rules”: Use Lincoln’s official “What Bin Does It Go In?” tool linked from the city’s Recycling guidance hub.
Timeline and the campaign’s background
Lincoln’s solid waste team introduced the campaign on June 25, 2026. A campaign background item dated June 29, 2026 describes the planning work behind Land Phil, including research and testing activities led through the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.
What the campaign is asking residents to do
The message is designed to focus on everyday choices that determine what ends up in the landfill. In practical terms, the city and its partners say residents should:
- Reduce waste at home.
- Save food (so less food becomes trash).
- Recycle more often and correctly—because contaminated recycling can negate good intentions.
KFOR also reports the outreach will include appearances by Land Phil, plus ads and community events as part of the education push.
Campaign goals: what success is supposed to look like
According to KFOR, the campaign’s targets include:
- Divert 1,000 tons of food waste
- Divert 1,000 tons of other reusable/recyclable items through recycling, composting, and waste-saving practices
- Increase curbside recycling subscriptions by 25%
- Reduce recycling contamination by 10%
KFOR reports the effort is tied to a $1.7 million EPA Region 7 Recycling Education and Outreach Grant awarded to Lincoln in 2024.
Where to check before you toss something
Lincoln’s official resident guidance points people to the city’s searchable tool, “What Bin Does It Go In?”, located on the city’s Recycling page.
When you’re unsure about an item, the city’s guide specifically says to use the tool so materials don’t end up as waste.
Need help fast? Call the Recycling Hotline
If you still have questions after checking the bin tool, Lincoln’s printed resident guide lists a Recycling Hotline: 402-441-8215. The guide says residents can call to ask additional questions and to add their business to the “What Bin Does It Go In?” directory.
Behind the scenes: why Land Phil is built around behavior change
Lincoln’s campaign background includes work by the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, including a literature review, public engagement activities, survey data analysis, and intercept testing to help assess public response to Land Phil.
Bottom line
As “Love Your Land Phil” ramps up in July, use Lincoln’s official “What Bin Does It Go In?” tool now—because reducing contamination (and avoiding landfill-bound mistakes) is a central part of the campaign’s goals.
Sources
- KFOR: City Launches New Waste Diversion Education Campaign (published June 25, 2026)
- University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Meet Land Phil (includes June 29, 2026 background)
- City of Lincoln LTU: Recycling — “What Bin Does It Go In?”
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