RELEASE: City Announces Changes to Community Recycling Drop-Off Program

City Announces Changes to Community Recycling Drop-Off Program

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) today announced the removal of the community recycling drop-off site at the former location of John Marshall Community High School, 10101 E 38th Street, effective immediately. Continuing to leave waste at this site will result in illegal dumping fines. The closest public drop-off recycling site to this address is at the Kroger located at 11101 Pendleton Pike.

City staff will continue ongoing conversations to further expand recycling options, including a forthcoming structured drop-off recycling collaboration, for community members in Marion County, especially in the downtown, west side, and east side areas. Additional local recycling information, including information on the City's goals to make solid waste options more accessible and convenient for all Marion County residents and how to subscribe for biweekly curbside recycling pickup, can be found at indy.gov/recycle. 

Community members are reminded that drop-off locations across the city are for disposing of household recyclable materials only and commercial use of the sites is prohibited. The City appreciates the existing recycling site hosts in the program and the work required to maintain the properties. The City also appreciates those community members attempting to recycle correctly amidst others choosing to take advantage of the recycling sites as illegal dumping grounds. The future longevity of each drop-off site is contingent upon the public utilizing it for its intended purpose.

All materials must be loose, clean, and dry and all cardboard boxes must be flattened before placing in a recycling bin. Bagged recyclables cannot be processed as plastic bags get caught in machines and put employees at risk of potential hazards during the sorting process. The following materials are accepted at the community drop-off recycling sites free of charge:
 

  • All colors of glass

  • #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs (no Styrofoam, plastic bags, or plastic film)

  • Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans

  • Newspapers, broken down cardboard boxes, paper, and magazines

  • A great resource for improving personal recycling habits is Recycling Simplified

Proper, legal disposal options exist for all other forms of waste as well:
 

 

Indianapolis community members and private businesses are reminded that illegal dumping, or leaving trash, furniture, hazardous waste, debris, or any other non-recyclable material at these sites, is prohibited and carries fines up to $2,500. Illegal dumping threatens human health and the environment, costs public resources to clean up, and threatens the future viability of a community recycling drop-off location. Leaving recyclable materials that cannot fit into the box on the pavement is also considered illegal dumping.

Property owners interested in hosting a new recycling drop-off location should contact the Indy DPW recycling team at sustainindy@indy.gov. Site proposals for a new recycling location should have space approximately 80 feet long by 40 feet wide to accommodate the roll-off boxes, plus plenty of extra clearance for vehicle access.

For a map and address information of other drop-off recycling locations, visit indy.gov./activity/find-a-recycling-drop-off-location.

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Lindsay Trameri