Indianapolis Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Indianapolis recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Cardboard (corrugated boxes, paperboard, paper egg cartons; broken down)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1, #2, and #5 empty and rinsed; leave caps attached)
- Glass bottles and jars (all colors rinsed clean)
- Metal cans (aluminum, tin, and steel food and beverage cans)
- Cartons (milk, nondairy milk, and juice perishable cartons)
- Mixed paper (newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper)
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags, plastic film, and wraps (do not bag recycling)
- Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, plates, and takeout clamshells)
- Plastic #3 (PVC pipes, hoses) and Plastic #6
- Electronics, batteries, and household hazardous waste (take to ToxDrop)
- Food waste, liquids, and heavily soiled paper products
Can you recycle these items in Indianapolis?
Can you recycle cardboard in Indianapolis?
AcceptedBreak down and flatten all boxes; place loosely inside cart or drop-off container.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Indianapolis?
Accepted with conditionsTear off greasy or food-stained sections for the trash; only clean, dry cardboard portions can be recycled.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Indianapolis?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean plastic bottles and jugs; leave caps attached.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Indianapolis?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean milk jugs, detergent jugs, and bottles; leave caps attached.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Indianapolis?
Not acceptedPVC, vinyl, plumbing pipes, and garden hoses are strictly prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Indianapolis?
Accepted with conditionsRigid containers accepted; plastic grocery bags and film wrap are prohibited from curbside/drop-off bins.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Indianapolis?
AcceptedClean yogurt tubs, hummus tubs, margarine tubs, and condiment containers accepted; leave caps attached.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Indianapolis?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam products (Styrofoam cups, food containers, packaging) are prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Indianapolis?
Accepted with conditionsClean rigid containers accepted; verify multi-layer materials.
Can you recycle glass in Indianapolis?
AcceptedRinse glass bottles and jars clean; all colors accepted; leave caps attached.
Can you recycle aluminum in Indianapolis?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse aluminum beverage cans, tin cans, and steel food cans.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Indianapolis?
Accepted with conditionsShredded paper is accepted only if securely contained inside a recyclable paper bag.
DPW & sanitation contact
Indianapolis Department of Public Works · municipal dpw
Phone: 317-327-4000
200 E Washington StIndianapolis, IN 46204
These collection rules cover Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Indianapolis, IN?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Trash cart must be at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day, placed 2 to 3 feet from the curb with arrows pointing to the street or alley, and at least 5 feet from objects and buildings.. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Indianapolis?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Indianapolis?
On your monthly heavy trash pickup day, place up to 2 heavy/bulky items at the curb next to your trash cart by 7:00 a.m. No appointment or scheduling required; limited to 2 items per month. The listed limit is 2 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Contact sanitation at 317-327-4000 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).
What items are accepted for recycling in Indianapolis?
The listed accepted materials are Cardboard (corrugated boxes, paperboard, paper egg cartons; broken down), Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1, #2, and #5 empty and rinsed; leave caps attached), Glass bottles and jars (all colors rinsed clean), Metal cans (aluminum, tin, and steel food and beverage cans), Cartons (milk, nondairy milk, and juice perishable cartons), Mixed paper (newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic film, and wraps (do not bag recycling), Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, plates, and takeout clamshells), Plastic #3 (PVC pipes, hoses) and Plastic #6, Electronics, batteries, and household hazardous waste (take to ToxDrop), Food waste, liquids, and heavily soiled paper products. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).