City, Lancaster County Celebrate Opening of GoodToGo Reuse Store

City, Lancaster County Celebrate Opening of GoodToGo Reuse Store

Published on November 13, 2025

New facility joins HazToGo to reduce waste, support sustainability

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Kerry Kernen, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) Director, today announced the opening of a new reuse store, GoodToGo, 5101 N. 48th St. The facility offers at no cost used and unopened household products collected by HazToGo, Lincoln's Hazardous Waste Center.

"Through our new GoodToGo store, we offer useful products that make sense for both your home and your budget. As we make everyday items accessible for all families, we also support sustainability by reducing waste and preventing reusable materials from ending up in the landfill," Mayor Gaylor Baird said.

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird and Director Kernen at the news conference at GoodToGo was Steve Owen, Assistant Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director.

The GoodToGo reuse store will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and the third Saturday of each month. Friday, November 14, will be the first day of operation.

The new GoodToGo facility is funded by a $1.3 million grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. GoodToGo is an expansion of the HazToGo building and services which enables the facilities to work together to reduce waste, protect the environment and support sustainability, Kernen said.

"GoodToGo provides an opportunity to further reduce waste, reuse good products and help promote a more sustainable community," Kernen said.

Kernan explained that household hazardous waste collected by HazToGo determined to be usable is then made available at GoodToGo. HazToGo will continue to properly manage hazardous materials that are no longer usable.

GoodToGo's inventory will change regularly and offer items in their original containers with original labels such as:

• Automotive products like motor oil or antifreeze
• Home and Garden products like cleaners, ice melt and fertilizers
• Finishing products like spray paint, stains and varnish

Household hazardous waste facilities that have incorporated reuse have seen a 10% or more increase of collected material diverted from the landfill, decreasing the cost of hazardous waste management, Kernen added.

"The addition of GoodToGo is another step to enhancing sustainable waste management within the community and part of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Plan," she said.

Assistant Director Owen said so far in 2025, HazToGo has served more than 3,500 households, diverting more than 130,000 pounds of hazardous materials such as flammable liquids and toxic materials from the Bluff Road Landfill. He encouraged community members to take advantage of GoodToGo's no-cost resources before considering new purchases.

"Together, these programs move us toward a more cost-effective, environmentally responsible future. It's one that benefits every Lincoln and Lancaster County resident," Owen said. "As many of you know, the Bluff Road Landfill is a critical resource, but it is not infinite. Every effort we make to divert waste helps extend its life, reduce environmental impacts, and save taxpayer dollars."

HazToGo provides a safe, environmentally responsible and convenient option for household hazardous waste collection and is partially funded by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment. The Health Department has operated a household hazardous waste program for more than 30 years, with the HazToGo facility opening in 2017.

Learn more about the GoodToGo reuse store at GoodToGoLNK.com or call 402-441-8021.

For more information about HazToGo, visit HazToGo.com.