INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 15 America Recycles Day in Indiana. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the proclamation recognizes America Recycles Day, which is the only nationally recognized day in the U.S. reminding us of the importance of recycling. The day provides an educational platform to raise awareness about the value of reducing, reusing and recycling – recognizing the economic, environmental, and social benefits of recycling and promoting a circular economy.
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 is growing in Indiana. The statewide recycling rate was 12% in 2015 and increased to 20% in 2022. Additionally, Indiana diverted more than 1 million tons of commodity recyclables (glass, metals, paper, plastics) from landfills in 2022. Paper and cardboard represented the largest amount of material diverted, followed by glass.
