Some residents on the far east side will have to travel farther to discard their recyclable materials.
The Department of Public Works removed the community recycling drop-off site at the former John Marshall Community High School, at the intersection of North Mitthoefer Road and 38th Street.
City officials say they made the decision after repeated instances of illegal dumping at the site, a problem plaguing many recycling drop-off locations throughout Marion County, including those in public parks.
“It’s an important initiative to think about recycling, but that’s not how they actually function,” said Don Colvin, deputy director of Indy Parks and Recreation, during a Feb. 8 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee. “They function as designated dump sites, and (the Department of Public Works) spends an enormous amount of time and effort cleaning up illegal, nonrecyclable goods in these bins.”
This is the second drop-off site to be removed in the last year. The city eliminated one at a westside Kroger on Rockville Road.
Morgan Mickelson, the city’s director of sustainability, said they’ve floated the idea of adding trash receptacles at the sites, but she thinks that would result in more contamination.
[Donate, recycle, or give away — how to recycle items that don’t fit in the bin.]
“We’re working on public education around this, and working with the (Department of Business and Neighborhood Services) really diligently to understand how we can begin to combat it through fining as well,” Mickelson said during a February committee hearing.
Some helpful reminders on what can be recycled at the city’s drop-off locations:
- All colors of glass
- Cardboard boxes (but flatten them first!)
- #1 and #2 plastic bottles, jugs and containers
- Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans
- Newspapers, paper and magazines
What you can’t dump:
- Mattresses, furniture, household appliances
- Styrofoam, plastic bags or plastic film
- Hazardous waste
- Electronics
Residents should bring furniture and bulky items to the Citizens’ Transfer Station or set them out on heavy trash pickup day.
Household hazardous waste and most electronics can be recycled at one of the city’s ToxDrop locations.
Electronics also can be recycled at RecycleForce’s new headquarters at 816 N. Sherman Dr. during its regular weekday hours.
Illegal dumping carries fines up to $2,500.
Property owners interested in hosting a new recycling drop-off location should contact the Department of Public Works recycling team at sustainindy@indy.gov.
Click here for a map and address information of other drop-off recycling locations.
Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
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