Covanta Unveils Recycling Plant Plans

Indianapolis residents may soon have a new resource for recycling.

Covanta plans to build a roughly $45 million facility to sort out recyclables before trash goes to the incinerator.

But, opponents argue this is not the most efficient option for the city.

Only about 10 percent of Indianapolis households recycle. Mayor Greg Ballard says Covanta’s project will increase that to 100 percent of recyclable materials

"We can now recapture more recyclable material," said Ballard.  "Covanta is going to build a facility, (the city) has almost nothing in the game.  They are going to build it because they think there is a market for that sort of thing and if we can get the other 90 percent of the people in the city to get some of their materials recycled, we think that's a win for everybody."

The recycled materials will be sold and once Covanta recoups its initial investment, it will begin sharing a percentage of the revenue with the city.

But, Indiana Recycling Coalition Executive Director Carey Hamilton told WFYI last week that Covanta’s process will reduce the quality of recycled materials and thinks the city stands to benefit more by enhancing its curbside service.

"If you provide the cart and you give the people the tools to understand what can go into that cart, by in large, they will use it," Hamilton said. "Not everyone will do so, but enough people such that the resulting recovery will be much higher than what Covanta proposes."

Residents can still pay $6 a month for curbside service or take recyclables to drop off spots.

The project needs approval of the Board of Public Works.  If approved, construction is expected to take 16 to 18 months.