WASTE & RECYCLING
The impact that waste has on our health and the environment is significantly minimized because we have found creative ways to reduce the amount of waste in products, limit how much we consume and increase recycling and reuse.
Waste & Recycling: (WR:1) Support a “reduce first” approach to waste, and actively promote waste minimization policies, programs and events.
| Action | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| WR:1A | Develop waste minimization strategies for all large-scale, public events by 2022. | In Progress |
| WR:1B | Through the Thriving Schools Challenge, promote and support programs that reduce waste in schools by 2022. | Complete |
| WR:1C | Educate the public on single-use plastics and the direct impacts these types of products have on our natural resources. | Action Needed |
| WR:1D | Support businesses that divert waste by providing new life for used products. | Action Needed |
WR:1B - Indianapolis Thriving Schools Challenge
Indianapolis Thriving Schools Challenge is a green schools certification program in Marion County for grades K-12. Schools may reach certification either by starting new projects or demonstrating their existing initiatives. Participating schools are eligible for three levels of certification based on the number of new or existing sustainability projects: Thriving Schools Certified, Excelling, and Masters. For more information, please visit Indiana Thriving Schools Challenge.
WR:1B - Complete
WR:1B - “Through the Thriving Schools Challenge, promote and support programs that reduce waste in schools by 2022.”
Project funding is available to schools in need of financial support, maximizing the opportunity for all schools in our community to become leaders on sustainability. Selected schools will be eligible for up to $5,000 in funding for implementing new projects and expanding or improving upon existing projects. The dedicated teachers and staff who champion the implementation of new projects at selected schools will receive a total stipend of up to $1,000. Earth Charter Indiana now manages the Indianapolis Thriving Schools Challenge. Since program inception, the program has funded 147 unique sustainability projects, offered $174,444 in project-based learning grants, $64,500 in stipends for Indiana educators, and impacted 87, 272 from across the state.
Recycling in Indianapolis
You can drop-off recyclable items free of charge at several different locations in Indianapolis and Marion County. The contents of each large green box is recycled at a Republic Services-owned facility and therefore follows Republic's local recycling guidelines:
All colors of glass
No. 1 & No. 2 plastic containers (no Styrofoam or plastic bags)
Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans
Newspapers, cardboard, paper, and magazines
For more information, visit Recycling 101 or Find A Recycling Location.
Waste & Recycling: (WR:2) Increase community-wide waste diversion rate by 40% by 2030.
| Action | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| WR:2A | Provide universal residential curbside recycling to all Indianapolis residents by 2025. | In Progress |
| WR:2B | Offer subscription curbside composting to all Indianapolis residents by 2025. | In Progress |
| WR:2C | Analyze construction and demolition waste generated and propose reduction and diversion measures by 2022. | Action Needed |
| WR:2D | Provide multi-lingual, multi-format recycling and composting educational materials at the local energy resource centers and resilience hubs. | In Progress |
Indianapolis Circular Economy Initiative
Initiated in early 2019 by the Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC), the Indianapolis Circular Economy Initiative (ICEI) is a multi-stakeholder, multiyear collaborative effort, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis and many other stakeholders, to address Indianapolis’ recycling challenges, achieve the Thrive Indianapolis Plan goals, generate good and promising jobs, foster innovation, ideas, and investments, and capture the economic, social, and environmental benefits of a thriving circular economy in Indiana. For more information, visit Indianapolis Circular Economy Initiative.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Recycling and Composting Series
The Environmental Sustainability Committee of the City-County Council met in 2023 (February, April, and July) on the topics of recycling and composting. This three-meeting series was aired to the public on Channel 16 and online via indy.gov. The recordings are available at Environmental Sustainability Committee (granicus.com). The April meeting focused on the topic of economic development and the July meeting focused on public education.
Electronic Recycling Events
Office of Sustainability and RecycleForce will present a series of four electronic recycling special events in 2022. These events serve Marion County residents and encourage drop off of unused, outdated, and/or broken electronics to be properly recycled. For a listing of scheduled electronics recycling events, please visit Recycling Special Events.