INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) announced the addition of a community recycling drop-off site at Riverside Park, 2420 E Riverside Drive.
The community drop-off locations across the city are for disposing of household recyclable materials only. Commercial use of the sites is prohibited. All materials must be loose, clean, and dry. All cardboard boxes must be flattened before placing in a recycling bin.
If recyclables are placed in a plastic bag, they cannot be processed. Plastic bags get caught in sorting machines and put employees at risk of potential hazards during the sorting process. Your recyclables can be placed in an open paper bag or you may opt to transport them in a reusable tote or bin.
The following materials are accepted at the community drop-off recycling sites free of charge:
• All colors of glass
• #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs (no Styrofoam, plastic bags, or plastic film)
• Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans
• Newspapers, broken down cardboard boxes, paper, and magazines
“When in doubt, throw it out!” If you are unsure if something is recyclable, it is better to place it in the garbage than in the recycling bin and hope you’re right, a problematic practice known as “wish-cycling”
Indy DPW appreciates the existing recycling site hosts in the program and the work required to maintain the properties. Indy DPW also appreciates those community members attempting to recycle correctly amidst others choosing to take advantage of the recycling sites as illegal dumping grounds.