Increase recycling rate and reduce contamination rate by implementing a public education program in partnership with local waste disposal companies. Also, require commercial property owners to offer recycling by 2025 and ensure assistance is provided to help reach compliance.
Carmel Utilities has implemented several initiatives to increase the recycling rate in the City. Some of these initiatives include:
Recycling Carts
When the City entered into a residential "City-Wide Solid Wate, Yard Waste, & Recycling Collection and Disposal" contract with Republic Servcies in 2016, each residential customer was delivered one 96-gallon cart for comingled recyclables. Per the contract renewal in 2024, each residential unit is permitted up to three 96-gallon carts for recyclables (not to exceed 3 carts total for the unit, including trash carts) with no extra fees.
Recycling Education
Every spring and fall, Carmel Utilities offers a "Carmel Citizens Utility Academy" to Carmel residents that explores the differentg utility servcies and their operations. Included in this program is a site tour of the Republic Services 96th Street Transfer and Recycling Station when residents can see how the recyclabes are sorted and shipped for beneficial reuse.
Holiday Lights Recycling Program
Carmel Utilities co-sponsors an annual event from late-November to mid-January every year that allows Carmel residents to drop off their holiday lights at any Carmel Clay School, where they will be collected and recycled by Technology Recyclers.
Carmel Utilities sent out a Fall Newsletter in October/November 2025 to all Utilities customers which featured information on residential recycling etiquette. Information included: What DOES go into the recycling cart; What does NOT go into the recycling cart; and how to prep the items going into the recycling cart. The information will help decrease the recycling contamination rates.