After the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) announced that one recycling drop-off location on the city's far east side was removed at the request of the property owner, a nearby location has been secured for relocation of the three recycling boxes. Washington Square Mall (10202 E. Washington Street) will become a community site for the City's drop-off recycling program in February. The former recycling location at the Kroger located at 10450 East Washington Street closed in November.

An opening date and exact location within the Washington Square Mall parking lot are still being determined, but the site will open to the public next month. In the meantime, an additional recycling box has been added to the nearest existing drop-off recycling site at John Marshall Community High School, 10101 E. 38th Street.

City staff identified the Washington Square Mall location as a result of local research and community input. Any property owners interested in hosting a new recycling drop-off location should contact the Indy DPW recycling team at: sustainindy@indy.gov. Site proposals for a new recycling location should have space approximately 80 feet long by 40 feet wide to accommodate the roll-off boxes, plus plenty of extra clearance for vehicle access.

Indy DPW is also notifying residents that the downtown drop-off recycling location in Old City Hall's north parking lot (202 N. Alabama Street) will be unavailable today, Tuesday, January 19 and tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20 for maintenance. The box will return on Thursday, January 21.

Residents are reminded that drop-off locations across the city are for disposing of recyclable materials only. All materials should be loose when placed in the recycling box. Bagged recyclables cannot be processed as plastic bags can get caught in the machinery and put employees at risk of potential hazards during the sorting process. The following materials are accepted at the community drop-off recycling sites free of charge: All colors of glass, No.1 and No. 2 plastic containers (no Styrofoam or plastic bags), Aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans, Newspapers, broken down cardboard, paper, and magazines.

Items must be dry and clean of any food waste. Hazardous waste and many electronics can be recycled at one of the City's ToxDrop locations.

Indianapolis residents are also reminded that illegal dumping, or leaving trash, furniture, hazardous waste, debris, or any other non-recyclable material at these sites, is prohibited and carries fines up to $2,500. Illegal dumping threatens human health and the environment, costs resources to clean up, and threatens the future viability of a community recycling drop-off location. Leaving recyclable materials that cannot fit into the box on the pavement is also considered illegal dumping.

For a map and address information of other drop-off recycling locations visit indy.gov/agency/office-of-sustainability.