Residents Left Disheartened as Local Recycling Sites Close Due to Illegal Dumping

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works has shut down two neighborhood recycling drop-off locations due to continued illegal dumping, leaving only six sites open citywide. The decision has left residents disheartened and concerned.

"Thousands of people follow the rules, and a few don't, and then it ruins it for everybody," said Merrill Eggleston, a dedicated recycler who used the site behind the Kroger at East 71st St. and Binford Blvd. all the time.

Eggleston and many others were shocked when they arrived early Tuesday afternoon to find the site closed. "I know they took it away from Fall Creek. They took it away from Pendleton Pike, and now they’ve taken it away from 71st and Binford... what a shame," Eggleston said.

The Department of Public Works closed three recycling sites across the city in the last two weeks due to illegal dumping. "People are unfortunately abusing the sites," said Kyle Bloyd, Chief Communication Officer with DPW. "People are putting stuff that is very clearly non-recyclable in or around the bin."

This includes things like old toilets, bags of regular trash, and even garbage from construction sites. "It's very unfortunate," Bloyd said. "One, it can end up in contamination of that recycling bin, and you are not able to recycle those materials. And second, it's not being a good neighbor."

Residents who have used the sites properly are frustrated by the decision. “It's a shame," Eggleston said. "I understand where DPW is coming from, in regards to the fact that people won't follow the rules… but there's thousands of us that do.”

The decision has even led some residents to reconsider their recycling plans. "It's gonna make me think about it twice," said Rick Bergman, who lives only a couple of minutes from the site.

Bloyd suggests using the other recycling sites that are still open, which can be found on DPW's website. In the meantime, Indianapolis residents will have to wait until 2028 for curbside recycling.