Indiana Unveils Ambitious Waste Management Plan to Boost Recycling and the Economy

In October 2025, Indiana is finalizing a comprehensive new waste management plan to replace its outdated 30-year-old strategy. The project, spearheaded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and British contractor Eunomia, seeks to transform the state's approach to waste, from food and construction to technology and textiles.

The current plan, which has been in place since the 1980s, has been criticized as too focused on disposal and basic waste handling. IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods says the new vision will reflect 35 years of innovation, shifting markets, and evolving environmental priorities, with the goal of building a circular economy to strengthen Indiana's economic future.

The plan may introduce several key measures to boost recycling, including recycling requirements, commercial food waste diversion, and a per-ton surcharge on landfilled or incinerated waste. Alongside these policy changes, the state plans to invest in infrastructure and public education to help achieve its ambitious 50% recycling target, up from the current 9-15% rate.

The final plan, expected by the end of 2025, will serve as a blueprint for the state, solid waste management districts, and industry to work towards a more sustainable waste management system. Local governments will be able to use the resulting guidelines and templates to update their own outdated plans, while IDEM aims to uplift recyclers and manufacturers using recycled goods.