Could Recycling Drive Job Growth in Indiana?

Strategic Materials on Indianapolis’ southside turns scrap materials into recyclable products.

But, President Curt Bucey says if more Hoosiers recycled, his and similar businesses could grow exponentially.

"We do at this plant about 3,000 tons a month," he said. "We have a plant in California that does 30,000 tons (a month), roughly triple the employees.  So that plant does in one month what this plant does in a year."

Why?

"There is deposit legislation in California.  That is one of the reasons," said Bucey.  "I think there has been leadership for many, many, many years at the state to drive recycling.  I think Indiana is starting to get that."

A Ball State study reports that if Indiana captured 25 percent of what it disposes as waste and recycled it, the state could create another 10,000 jobs.

"As a state we haven't invested in that change over time.  Folks just aren't used to it in communities.  It isn't convenient for a lot of Hoosiers to recycle if they don't see it," said Indiana Recycling Coalition Executive Director Carey Hamilton  "State policy can help us jump forward and create convenient access for folks in those locations so it becomes something people expect and appreciate having."

The state cut millions of dollars from recycling initiatives during the recession and Hamilton hopes to recover some of the recycling grant funds during the next legislative session.

"We hope in the next budget cycle to see a full allocation of those dollars," she said.  "About $6 million comes in per year.  So, we believe that if that $6 million were spent strategically and wisely in the coming years, that could go a long way to move the ball forward.  We think other steps are needed as well from a policy perspective, but there is a great opportunity there that has been missed."

She says some of the policy initiatives could include deposit laws, landfill bans, and tipping fees.