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Indianapolis to begin LRS solid-waste service in January; hazardous-waste ToxiDrop program limited by costs
Summary
DPW told the Public Works Committee that LRS will succeed Republic Services for county solid-waste pickup in January, with a hiring event set for Aug. 7; DPW said ToxiDrop hazardous-waste collections cost about $25,000–$30,000 per event, constraining how frequently the city can host them.
Director Todd Wilson told the Public Works Committee on July 17 that the city is transitioning residential solid-waste collection from Republic Services to LRS and is preparing for operational changes, vehicle delivery and staffing events.
Wilson said LRS will hold a hiring event on Aug. 7 open to current Republic and Waste Management drivers and other CDL drivers. "All trucks are on track to be built and delivered in time for the start of the new services in January," he said. The department is planning cart staging locations and aiming for full cart delivery by early December, with deployment logistics to be finalized in the months before service begins.
Wilson said some Republic employees are being transitioned to LRS employment by agreement to retain experienced drivers and ease the service changeover. The department is also constructing a new solid-waste garage; Wilson said walls are up and interior work is underway with completion expected in late 2025.
On household hazardous-waste collection, DPW said ToxiDrop collected more than a quarter-million pounds during the recent period but that the program is constrained by cost. Sam Barris, DPW chief financial officer, told the committee that individual ToxiDrop events cost approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per day in temporary staffing and disposal costs. "If you do 24 per year, that's about $600,000," he said, explaining why frequency is budget-limited. Barris said a site closure late last year (the Post Road site) resulted from a land-use issue tied to IMPD utilization rather than budget alone, though he reiterated the program carries material staff and disposal costs.
Councilors asked whether the city could increase frequency at centrally located sites to reduce residential traffic to weekend events; Barris and Wilson said they would evaluate budget options during the upcoming budget season but noted the program's operating cost is a limiting factor. Wilson said the department hopes to continue discussions about expansion during budget deliberations.
The committee heard that plans for trash-cart staging and distribution are ongoing and that the department is coordinating placements countywide to support efficient deployment in January. The department said it will share staging plans and timing with council offices as they are finalized.
