Indianapolis awards major solid‑waste contracts; Lakeshore Recycling Systems to begin collections Jan. 1, 2026; universal curbside recycling planned for 2028

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works outlined a multi‑year solid‑waste procurement plan to the Public Works Committee on April 17, 2025, including vendor awards, transition timing and a planned shift to universal curbside recycling in 2028.

DPW said Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) won the collection contract for several districts — specifically districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 — covering about 57,000 units; DPW crews and AFSCME Local 725 will continue to service districts 5, 7, 8 and 11 (about 20,000 units). LRS’s collection contracts take effect Jan. 1, 2026, DPW said. Sean Rock, deputy director of solid waste, said LRS is hiring local staff and will bring personnel from its head office to Indianapolis during the transition period.

On processing and disposal, Natalie (Deputy/Administrator, Solid Waste) told the committee that Waste Management (WM) will process the city’s recyclable materials and plans to build a new $60 million materials‑recovery facility (MRF) to replace an older plant on the city’s west side (the former Ray’s facility). ReWorld (formerly Covanta) will remain the primary disposer for non‑recyclable waste through its waste‑to‑energy facility; Southside…