The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has awarded more than $2 million in grants for waste reduction and recycling projects.

The department announced the awards Thursday.

The grant money comes from fees on businesses and tires and one to dump solid waste at landfills.

Among the 2009 grant recipients are the educational service units in Kearney, Hastings, Fremont and Ogallala. Combined, they've received nearly $176,000 to clean out chemicals in their school labs, janitorial closets and maintenance facilities.

Fremont-based Horizon Biofuels has been awarded more than $34,000 to pay for equipment to make biopellet fuel.

Several cities also will receive grant money - many for recycling center projects.