Language Translation
  Close Menu

Featured Topics

2024

Grants up to $500,000 Available to Boost Indiana’s Recycling Economy

Indiana businesses, local governments, solid waste management districts, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations are invited to submit grant proposals ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 to fund recycling projects through the Indiana Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP).

Projects should demonstrate sustainability, an understanding of the changing economy for recyclers and how grant money can be used to boost recycling in Indiana through expanded markets, manufacturing capacity and job creation.

Proposals will be accepted May 1, 2024 through June 13, 2024.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and project guidelines, or to apply, visit the Recycling Market Development Program page.

Recycling Roundtable Discussion: Indiana E-waste Program – New Format!

Join us March 20th for the rescheduled Recycling Roundtable Discussion with a new format and discussion of Indiana’s E-waste Program

Sign up to register for future meeting notifications and watch recordings of previous meetings on IDEM's Indiana Recycling Roundtable Discussion page.

IDEM hosts a series of quarterly meetings to discuss issues, share resources, and find solutions to current challenges facing recyclers and Indiana's recycling industry. The purpose is to facilitate solutions to help Indiana meet its goal of a 50% recycling rate while helping to spur economic growth in recycling markets.

Join us Wednesday, March 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams for the next discussion on Indiana’s E-cycle program. In addition, we will be celebrating achievements and milestones within everyone’s organization and creating a space to share challenges and brainstorm solutions.

Registration information and past recordings are available on the Indiana Recycling Roundtable Discussion page.

2023

Community Recycling Grants: Accepting Applications Aug. 21, - Sept. 29, 2023

Grant funding is available for recycling and household hazardous waste collection and disposal. Eligible projects should focus on education and promotion of recycling, processing of recyclable materials, waste reduction, or HHW and organics management.

Counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, universities, schools, and nonprofit organizations in Indianan are eligible to submit a Community Recycling Grant application requesting $1,000 to $100,000 in funding.

For additional information on eligibility, guidelines, and application visit the Community Recycling Grant Program page.

Recycling Roundtable Discussion: Organics Collection & Recycling

IDEM is hosting a series of quarterly meetings to discuss issues, share resources, and find solutions to current challenges facing recyclers and Indiana's recycling industry. The purpose is to facilitate solutions to help Indiana meet its goal of a 50% recycling rate while helping to spur economic growth in recycling markets.

Join us Wednesday, August 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the next discussion on organics waste collection and management to increase landfill diversion and support sustainability goals.

Note: The webinar link to the Roundtable from the EventBrite registration has changed platforms from Zoom to Teams.  Please check EventBrite and your email, if you previously registered, for updates. Please do not use the Zoom link.

Registration information and past recordings are available on the Indiana Recycling Roundtable Discussion page.

Recycling Market Development Grants Available

IDEM Office of Program Support on behalf of the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB) is now accepting 2023 recycling grant funding proposals. The deadline for submissions is June 21, 2023, at 4:00 PM.

Public/private businesses, local government, and non-profit organizations may seek a grant starting at $50,000 and up to $500,000 with a 50% cash match. Projects should focus on increasing collection or consumption, as well as economic development, education, and outreach efforts related to recycling.

The Recycling Market Development Program page offers detailed proposal requirements and can assist with questions about the proposal process.

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling Day – May 13, 2023

Governor Holcomb declared May 13, 2023, Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling Day [PDF]. IDEM educates and encourages Hoosiers to support local e-waste collection and recycling programs. On Indiana E-Waste Recycling Day, Hoosiers are urged to set aside their unwanted devices and dispose of them safely at an e-cycling collection center in their community.

Recycling Roundtable Discussion: Waste Audits and Data Collection

IDEM is hosting a series of quarterly meetings to discuss issues, share resources, and find solutions to current challenges facing recyclers and Indiana's recycling industry. The purpose is to facilitate solutions to help Indiana meet its goal of a 50% recycling rate while helping to spur economic growth in recycling markets.

Join us May 11, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. when speakers will discuss different approaches to identify the materials that make up your solid waste stream to better develop and implement successful waste diversion programs.

Registration information and past recordings are available on the Indiana Recycling Roundtable Discussion page.

2022

America Recycles Day

Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a Proclamation declaring Nov. 15 America Recycles Day. In partnership with IDEM, the Proclamation recognizes the 25th America Recycles Day, which is a nationally recognized day for businesses, government agencies and individuals to consider the importance of recycling and to commit to reducing waste, making recycling an everyday habit, and considering recycled products when making purchases.

Central Indiana Waste Diversion Pilot Project

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announced the availability of $4 million in funding to implement the Central Indiana Waste Diversion Pilot Project. This funding is available for waste diversion and recycling projects. To be eligible, projects must be located in Marion County.

Pilot project funding is available through IDEM’s Recycling Market Development Program. Projects must demonstrate waste diversion from landfills and establish a dedicated Indiana-based market for commercial use of the material. Proposals are accepted through October 1, 2022.

The Central Indiana Waste Diversion Pilot Project page offers detailed information, application guidelines, and provides the link to the application form.

IDEM Hosting an Electronics Recycling Event at the Indiana Government Center

To help keep electronics out of landfills, IDEM is partnering with Technology Recyclers to host an E-Waste collection events at the Indiana Government Center. The collection event will be open to the public, and all state employees, and will be held at Robert Orr Plaza. Drive or walk your unwanted electronic items to Robert Orr Plaza where staff from Technology Recyclers will collect these items. For a contactless delivery, please stay in your vehicle and staff will unload your unwanted electronics.

Electronics Recycling Event [PDF]

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, June 25, 2022
  • Times: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location: Robert Orr Plaza (West Street Entrance to the IGC)
  • Fee: There is a $20 fee all TVs and CRT monitors of any size. Payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card. (Note: $10 Fee for Indiana State Employees. You must show your employee ID to receive this discount)

For additional questions, please contact Indiana E-Cycle.

Recycling Roundtable Discussion

IDEM is hosting a series of quarterly meetings to discuss issues, share resources, and find solutions to current challenges facing recyclers and Indiana's recycling industry. The purpose is to facilitate solutions to help Indiana meet its goal of a 50% recycling rate while helping to spur economic growth in recycling markets.

Recycling stakeholders across Indiana are invited to attend, including solid waste haulers, municipalities, recyclers, manufacturers, composters, educational institutions, non-profit advocacy groups, solid waste management districts, environmental contractors, industry groups, and others.

Registration information and past recordings are available on the Indiana Recycling Roundtable Discussion page.

The Recycling Market Development Grant Funding Announced

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Program Support on behalf of the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB) is now accepting 2022 recycling grant funding proposals. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2022, at 5:00 PM.

Public/private businesses, local government, and non-profit organizations may seek a grant starting at $50,000 and up to $500,000 with a 50 percent (50%) cash match. Projects should focus on increasing collection or consumption, as well as economic development, education, and outreach efforts related to recycling.

The Recycling Market Development Program page offers detailed proposal requirements and can assist with questions about the proposal process.

2021

Recycling Roundtable Discussion

The first in a series of virtual recycling roundtable discussions took place Wednesday, December 8, 2021. The discussion addressed the importance of developing public-private partnerships to leverage different stakeholders’ areas of expertise and resources. It included presentations that highlighted successful partnerships that reduce waste and increase diversion and recovery of material for recycling. The recording is now available to interested stakeholders that were not available to attend.

America Recycles Day

Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a Proclamation declaring Nov. 15 America Recycles Day. In partnership with IDEM, the Proclamation recognizes the 24th America Recycles Day, which is a nationally recognized day for businesses, government agencies and individuals to consider the importance of recycling and to commit to reducing waste, making recycling an everyday habit, and considering recycled products when making purchases.

Indiana Recycling Infrastructure and Economic Impact Study

IDEM’s Office of Program Support (OPS) has released the Indiana Recycling Infrastructure and Economic Impact Study . The Study was commissioned by the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB) and prepared by GT Environmental. It provides a comprehensive review and analysis of Indiana’s recycling infrastructure and the significant economic impact of recycling the state. The Study also includes specific recommendations to improve statewide recycling to maximize its impact in the circular economy.

The Study demonstrates that Indiana’s waste and recycling infrastructure for municipal solid waste collected approximately 8.8 million tons in 2019, of which 19% was diverted from landfills through recycling and composting. The Study details that although only 19% of MSW currently generated (the state has a goal of 50%), the impact in total jobs in the recycling industry, the economic impact, and the tax impacts are significant.

The Recycling Market Development Program Grant Funding Announced

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Program Support on behalf of the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB) is now accepting 2021 proposals. The deadline for submissions is June 23, 2021, at 5:00 PM.

Public/private businesses, local government, schools, and non-profit organizations may seek a grant starting at $50,000 and up to $500,000 with a 50 percent cash match. Projects should focus on increasing collection or consumption, as well as economic development, education, and outreach efforts related to recycling. The Recycling Market Development Program page offers detailed proposal requirements and can assist with questions about the application process.

Community Recycling Grants Announced

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announced the availability of grant funding for projects that include education and promotion of recycling, waste reduction, organics management (including yard waste management and composting), and household hazardous waste collection and disposal, through the agency's Community Recycling Grant Program.

Counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools, and nonprofit organizations in Indiana are eligible to submit a Community Recycling Grant application requesting $500 to $100,000 in funding.

Applications can be submitted beginning February 1, 2021. The final day to submit applications is March 1, 2021. Final funding determinations will be made at the end of March 2021. Applicants can find guidelines and the application on the CRGP page.

 Top FAQs