Indy DPW Reminds Residents of Solid Waste and Recycling Protocols Amid Stay-at-Home Measures

INDIANAPOLIS – Facing additional collection volumes of both trash items and recyclables in the coming weeks, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) encourages Indy residents to be conscious of solid waste and recycling guidelines while spending more time at home under Indiana’s recent Stay-At-Home executive order.

Solid waste guidelines:

• Make sure all trash is secured inside trash bags and placed completely inside your 96-gallon trash cart. Bagging trash items significantly reduces the possibility of litter.

• Do not place extra trash bags next to your cart. They will not be collected.

Recycling guidelines:

• Do not bag recyclables for curbside pick-up or for direct drop off at regional sites. Bags used to contain recyclables can get caught in and stall sorting machinery, and therefore bags of recyclable materials will not be accepted for processing.

• Make sure recyclables are rinsed and dried.

• In an effort to save space in transportation containers, please break down any cardboard boxes that are being recycled.

Because of the higher volume of trash being picked up during the Stay-At-Home order, Heavy Trash pick-up is being suspended from March 30 through at least April 10 to offset additional collection amounts. Residents should not place any heavy trash items such as furniture next to their trash cart, as these will not be serviced. 

The Citizens’ Transfer Station will continue to be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing for any necessary drop-off of heavy trash items. There is a small cash-only fee to drop off items. For more information on the Citizens’ Transfer Station, visit the website.

Indy DPW and the Office of Sustainability next week will continue to educate residents on how to properly recycle through social media channels. Follow @IndyDPW and @SustainIndy on Twitter or Facebook to learn more.