INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 15 America Recycles Day in the State of Indiana. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the proclamation recognizes the 25th America Recycles Day, which is a nationally recognized day for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to consider the importance of recycling.
More than half of Indiana’s waste goes to landfills or incinerators instead of being recycled. America Recycles Day serves to remind Hoosiers to increase recycling efforts and commit to reducing waste, making recycling an everyday habit, and buying recycled products.
Recycling continues to grow in Indiana. The statewide recycling rate was 12% in 2015 and increased to 21% in 2021. Additionally, Indiana diverted more than one million tons of commodity recyclables (glass, metals, paper, plastics) from landfills in 2021. Paper and cardboard represented the largest amount of material diverted, followed by glass.
