The first step to productive recycling efforts is to first determine what is recyclable. The benefits of recycling are worth the effort to review recycling opportunities and locations. Depending on the materials to be recycled, there may be limited or several options available for responsible recycling.
Solid Waste Management District Programs
Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts proactively work with citizens to reduce the amount of waste going to final disposal (landfills and incinerators) through education, source reduction, reuse, and recycling. Many offer an array of programs such as:
- Appliance drop-off
- Battery recycling
- Composting
- Drop-off recycling
- Electronic recycling
- Household hazardous waste collection
- Latex paint recycling
- Leaf collection and/or drop-off programs
- Miscellaneous materials recycling
- Tire recycling
- Unwanted or expired medication drop-off
Get details about local programs and ideas for preventing waste on SWMD websites. Always contact district staff to confirm program availability and hours of operation before participating.
Local Government Agency Programs
Some local government agencies provide curbside recycling, drop-off recycling centers, yard waste composting, household hazardous waste collection, and other environmental services. For example, in Indianapolis, the Marion County Department of Public Works coordinates fall leaf collection and composting among other programs while the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability manages the city’s drop-off recycling program. In the spring, Marion County DPW offers the mulch produced via composting to citizens for use in gardens. MyLocal.IN.gov provides links to government websites (select a county from the dropdown menu).
Local Businesses
Some local businesses provide recycling or reuse services. For example, tire retailers are required to accept waste tires if new tires are purchased at their establishment. Stores such as Salvation Army and Goodwill accept and sell used clothing and use the proceeds to help others. The Indiana Recycling Directory is a searchable database managed by Circular Indiana (formerly the Indiana Recycling Coalition) that details recycling opportunities in Indiana. The directory includes recycling/collection operations, electronics collection/recycling locations, material recovery facilities, waste tire collection facilities, and more. Circular Indiana encourages recyclers to add new data to the database to keep it comprehensive and current.
Additional Resources
- Earth 911 - a searchable database details where and how to recycle over 350 materials across North America. It contains extensive information on how to develop a more sustainable and environmentally sound lifestyle.
- RecycleSearch - a searchable database containing nationwide recycling locations and is searchable by material type or organization name.
- Electronic Waste: Indiana E-cycle
- Recycling and Proper Disposal of Waste Tires
- Junk Mail
- Holiday Recycling
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Used Motor Oil, Antifreeze and Oil Filters
- Unwanted Medicines
- Learn About Markets for Recyclable Materials