Recycling
Beyond aluminum cans and glass bottles
by Allison Tyra
Carey Hamilton knows how important recycling is for people in Indianapolis.
"It's one of the easiest ways they can reduce their carbon footprint," says Hamilton, executive director of the Indiana Recycling Coalition, Inc.
"It's not that inconvenient," she says. "Spend a little time thinking about the collection point you pass in your day-to-day life... it's just a matter of changing your habits."
The IRC includes businesses, individuals and government partners and is focused on lobbying at the state level, as well as educational programming. "Young children these days are more educated than most adults about recycling," Hamilton says.
A current listing of Indianapolis recycling locations, separated by product, can be found on the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Web site. The Recycle Indianapolis program has drop-off locations throughout the city. For a full listing of the 28 locations, go to kibi.org/recycle.
Recycle Indianapolis drop-off locations accept basic recyclables, including:
> Steel and aluminum cans
> Empty aerosol cans
> Clear, green and brown glass
> # 1 and #2 plastics
> Newspapers
> Magazines
One of the largest recyclers in Indiana, Ray's Trash Service will recycle and pay for office paper, cardboard and metals. The company also recycles pallets, plastics and several other materials.
Plastic shopping bags can be recycled at any Kroger or Wal-Mart location. Paper and plastics (#1 through #7), and corrugated cardboard also can be dropped off at Trinity Recycling or Indianapolis Recycled Fibers. The latter also will accept phone books.
Books can be sold at your local Half Price Books store or donated to the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Similarly, clothes can be sold at any number of consignment shops in your area, or donated to agencies like Goodwill, Amvets, the St. Vincent De Paul Society and the Salvation Army.
Retrofit Recycling will accept car batteries, appliances, electronics, nonworking televisions and power tool chargers and batteries.
Virtual Scavengers will take any electronics.
Electronics as well as fluorescent lightbulbs also can be dropped off at City of Indianapolis Tox-Drops locations at 2700 S. Belmont Ave, 9049 E. 10th St. or 4925 S. Shelby St. The Tox-Drops sites also accept chemicals, including antifreeze, adhesives/glues, batteries, household cleaners, ammonia, chlorine bleach, detergents, used cooking oil, mercury, pesticides, mercury and paint thinners/strippers.
For a full list, Click Here.
If you're remodeling, architectural salvage can go to Habitat for Humanity or White River Architectural Salvage & Antiques, among other organizations. Building materials also can go to the Habitat ReStore, Rehab Resource or Assets Recycling. Rehab Resource also will take carpet and padding.
Wood and yard waste will be composted by Greencycle, among others, though there is a $10 charge to pick up a load.
Lenscrafters and Dr. Tavel will take eyeglasses, while wire hangers can go to Tuchman Cleaners and ink-jet or laser cartridges may be recycled at Cartridge World, Ink Heads or Recycleforce, Inc.
For more locations to recycle these and other products, click here the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Web site.