Universal curbside recycling program coming to Indianapolis in 2028

Marion County residents can look forward to universal curbside recycling but the long awaited move is still a few years away.

A new contract deal was approved this week. Lakeshore Recycling Systems will take over solid waste collections starting next year and phase in universal recycling in 2028. 

The change will impact Marion County neighborhoods based on current districts where Waste Management and Republic have been providing service.  Those contracts expire at the end of this year.

Until the new program starts, Indianapolis remains one of the only major U.S. cities without a universal curbside recycling program.

Indianapolis Department of Public Works ​​Deputy Director Natalie van Dongen said the added time will allow for a comprehensive education campaign. 

“We need to make sure that residents understand, hey, there's going to be a second cart arriving at your house. This is how it should be used. This is how it should not be used,” van Dongen said, “because a recycling program is really only as good as the education around it.”

Residents will receive recycling bins closer to the start date of the program and may pay for additional carts. 

Plans include a new processing facility to be run by Waste Management.

Currently residents who have recycling pay a monthly fee.  There are eleven public drop-off locations scattered around Marion County where people can drop off recycling.