Recycling stakeholders across Indiana are invited to attend IDEM’s quarterly virtual recycling roundtable discussions. The discussions provide a chance for stakeholders to discuss issues, share resources, and find solutions to current challenges facing recyclers and Indiana's recycling industry. The purpose is to facilitate solutions to help Indiana meet its goal of a 50% recycling rate while helping to spur economic growth in recycling markets.
Indiana recycling stakeholders, including solid waste haulers, municipalities, recyclers, manufacturers, composters, educational institutions, non-profit advocacy groups, solid waste management districts, environmental contractors, industry groups, and others are encouraged to attend.
We want to highlight your programs and industries in Indiana that promote waste reduction and recycling efforts through innovation solutions in our industry. Would you like to present and share the work you are achieving in Indiana? If so, please let us know below please send us an email.
Upcoming Recycling Roundtable Discussions:
None scheduled at this time. Please check back for future events.
Past Recycling Roundtable Discussions Recordings:
Indiana E-cycle Program Overview and New Discussion Format
We will be introducing a new format for 2024. In addition to learning from Jacob Schmicker, Indiana E-Cycle Program Manager on electronics recycling, we will be celebrating achievements and milestones within everyone’s organization and creating a space to share challenges and brainstorm solutions.
Organics Collection & Management
The August 30, 2023, discussion addressed organics waste collection and management to increase landfill diversion and support sustainability goals. Learn from frontline leaders as they discuss community-scale composting and organics waste diversion best management practices. Speakers discussed different methodologies, education, and contamination reduction strategies to run a successful composting operation.
Waste Audits and Data Measurement
The May 11, 2023, discussion addressed waste audits and data collection to reduce contamination and increase recycling rates. Speakers discussed different approaches to identify the materials that make up your solid waste stream to better develop and implement successful waste diversion programs.
Education and Outreach
The September 27, 2022 discussion addressed education and outreach efforts to reduce contamination and increase recycling rates. Speakers discussed different approaches to engage a variety of audiences and promote awareness of the importance of recycling and recycling right. You will learn about state and local education efforts and discuss tips and tricks for best outreach impact.
Funding for Recycling Programs
The June 22, 2022 discussion addressed funding for recycling programs. Transportation, contamination fees, and other processing hurdles are all causing recycling costs to rise. Speakers discussed upcoming grant opportunities on both the state and federal level as well as funding mechanisms to run a successful recycling program.
Successful Recycling Programs
The March 16, 2022 included a panel discussion of speakers discussed best practices that have helped their recycling programs succeed as well as the current challenges programs are facing and tactics to avoid disruptions in service. Continued discussion by a second panel revolved around current recycling trends and what recycling programs will look like in the future as we work towards a circular economy.
Public Private Partnerships
The December 8, 2021 discussion addressed the importance of developing public-private partnerships to leverage different stakeholders’ areas of expertise and resources. It included presentations that highlighted successful partnerships that reduce waste and increase diversion and recovery of material for recycling.