Indianapolis plans recycling future

A committee is taking a deep dive into the future of recycling in Indianapolis. A recent meeting focused on the economic benefit of sustainability.

Indianapolis is one of the only major U.S. cities without a comprehensive curbside recycling program for all residents. City solid waste contracts are up soon and a City-County Council Environmental Sustainability Committee is involved in a study on the best way to rebuild its reuse program.

The city of Indianapolis’ Office of Sustainability Director Morgan Mickelson said the more material Indianapolis can provide for reuse, the better.

“This is helping us be a more stable and vibrant economy. If we keep it local, it costs less to shift, it creates jobs here in Indiana, those benefits stay in Indiana,” Mickelson said.

In the economic world, recycling has been rebranded as “circular economy.” Companies can benefit from reusing waste materials.

Businesses involved in recycling materials testified that there is business in the circular economy. Many businesses said they only get a small percentage of their material from Indiana and they need more product.

Pam Francis with Circular Indiana, formerly Indiana Recycling Coalition, said the group is fully invested in this issue.

“Operating under circular economy principles saves us money, it is more efficient, it takes less energy, it reduces the greenhouse gasses that we emit,” Francis said.

She said it also helps recruit talent to Indianapolis and Indiana.

“All of us would like to see our state's reputation enhanced as a desirable place to live and work for many reasons, but primarily because it helps us recruit top talent and we have to be able to recruit top talent,” Francis said.

A previous meeting of the committee focused on Indianapolis’ overall recycling situation in comparison with other cities. Indianapolis only diverts about 10-15 percent of solid waste, much less than peer metros, even in the Midwest. 

Other issues to be studied include education and awareness, different waste streams, infrastructure and fiscal feasibility.

There is currently a request for qualifications open from the city. It is seeking a consulting partner to move through the multi-year process. 

Current contracts expire in 2025.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.