Input encouraged for viable recycling program

The city of Indianapolis is hosting a series of Recycle Indianapolis Town Hall Meetings to promote a discussion on the current and future state of recycling in Indianapolis. Citizen input will assist the city in designing a viable program that will be utilized by all Indianapolis/Marion County residents as well as help position Indianapolis as an environmentally healthy community.

The August 2006 launch of Recycle Indianapolis began a dialogue with the community to determine the perceptions, benefits and barriers to recycling. Recycle Indianapolis includes, but is not limited to, curbside and drop-off recycling, ToxDrops (household hazardous waste disposal), eCycles (electronics recycling), leaf collection and white goods (appliances).

Currently, approximately 12 percent of the 254,579 homes in Marion County eligible for curbside recycling subscribe to the service. To preclude the city from subsidizing curbside recycling, participation must increase. Curbside service is available for approximately $5 per month but costs the city $8.57 per week for collection and processing of the recyclable materials.
Recycle Indianapolis is a new, comprehensive program designed to broaden recycling participation in Indianapolis through increased awareness and education by promoting ease of use, waste reduction and environmental responsibility through personal, neighborhood and citywide opportunities.

The Town Hall Meetings are open to the public, free of charge and will be held in each township over the next year. Panelists include representatives from the city of Indianapolis, Department of Public Works, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and the Indiana Recycling Coalition. 

Center Township will host the first series of meetings.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 25
IPS Washington Irving School 14
1250 E. Market St.
7-8 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 30
Robert’s Park Methodist Church
401 N. Delaware St.
7-8 p.m.

INFO: The Recycle Indianapolis Town Hall Meetings will resume after the holidays, and the 2007 schedule includes:

January: Pike Township
February: Washington Township
March: Lawrence and Wayne Townships
April: Warren and Decatur Townships
May: Perry and Franklin Townships

For more information visit www.RecycleIndianapolis.org.