Indiana recycling grants give state's economy $2M boost

Indiana’s Recycling Market Development Board has awarded $2 million in grants to six organizations to expand recycling in the state.

The joint effort represents over $15.7 million in expected total investments, creating 42 jobs and preventing an additional 197,884 tons of materials from going into landfills each year.

“These grants demonstrate how strategic investments in Hoosier businesses and organizations can lead to increased environmental stewardship,” said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods. “By investing in advanced equipment and innovative solutions, we're helping Hoosiers recycle more effectively, reduce landfill waste, create jobs, and put valuable materials back into Indiana's economy.”

CT Polymers in Marshall County was awarded $500,000 toward the purchase of a compounding line that will separate recycled plastics and polymer materials from mixed waste, diverting 24,000 tons from landfills annually. The company expects to create 30 additional jobs.

Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. (GIM) in Lake County will receive $301,011 to divert an additional 32,812 tons annually by: using a new baler that will improve efficiency and increase the amount of textiles recycled; phasing out 4 million plastic bags used by GIM shoppers each year by implementing reusable bags; and encouraging more donations through increased education and outreach efforts.

Greencycle in Marion County was awarded $453,989 toward the purchase of a wood waste grinder that will process an additional 21,000 tons of material annually.

Nexus IN RNG – Laporte, LLC in LaPorte County will receive $500,000 to purchase equipment that will divert 105,000 tons of organic waste each year by separating and removing organic material from food packaging. The company also expects to create 12 new jobs.

Plastic Recycling Inc. in Marion County was awarded $249,382 to purchase an optical sorter that will keep 15,000 more tons of plastic out of landfills by improving the recovery of FDA-grade polypropylene (PP) plastic from post-consumer curbside recycling bales.

The Trustees of Indiana University in Monroe County will receive $45,000 to purchase an in-vessel composter capable of processing 72 tons of food waste each year. The waste will be composted for use on campus, saving money by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

The Recycling Market Development Program was established in the early 1990s to better manage solid waste by developing markets for recycled materials. More information about the RMDP grant program, including future grant opportunities, can be found on IDEM's website, idem.IN.gov/recycle/recycling-market-development-program.