Drop-off recycling program starts February 1 in Gary

Gary launches recycling drop-off program, ending household pickup

Contributed By: The 411 News

A decade-old program providing pick up of household recyclables has come to an end in Gary.

Beginning February 1, residents will have to take their recyclables to drop-off sites.

“After careful evaluation, we have decided to transition to a drop-off recycling model, which has already proven successful in many neighboring communities,” said Ragen Hatcher, Executive Director of the Gary Sanitary District.

Low usage and rising costs were the driving forces behind the program change, Hatcher said. “For over a decade, the Gary Sanitary District has subsidized garbage and recycling services for around 22,000 households, but only about 2,400 households have actively participated in the recycling program. The rising costs of home recycling pick-up have made it increasingly difficult to maintain this service as it currently stands.”

The drop off program and recycling containers will be managed by the City of Gary’s Public Works Department. The following drop-off sites in Gary will have receptacles for recycling starting February 1.
• Grand Blvd and Miller Avenue
• 900 Madison Street (City of Gary General Services site)
• 3600 West 3rd Avenue (Gary Sanitary District site)
• 3506 Village Court (Northwest Parking Lot, GPTC site)

These sites will accept clean, recyclable materials, limited to paper, cardboard, and clean, plastic water bottles.

The City of Gary consulted with officials in multiple neighboring municipalities before making the decision to transition to a drop-off recycling model.

" I would like to thank Mayor Austin Bonta of Portage and members of his Recycling team for consulting with us on the benefits of making this switch, " said Gary’s Chief Operating Officer Michael Suggs. "The drop-off process will allow for better quality control of recycled materials. By reducing contamination, we can increase the success rate of recycling, minimize spoiled loads, and improve overall efficiency in our operations."

"We understand that change can be challenging, but this decision ensures that our recycling efforts remain both environmentally and financially sustainable. We appreciate the support of our community as we implement this new model, which reflects our shared commitment to a greener Gary,” added Hatcher.

Story Posted:01/31/2025