New trash service coming to Indy in 2026, with curbside recycling by 2028

INDIANAPOLIS — Indy will have a new trash service provider next year, replacing Waste Management and Republic Services. Curbside recycling services are also coming in 2028.

“This has been a longstanding goal of the city of Indianapolis,” says Kyle Bloyd with Indy DPW. “We have long wanted to introduce universal curbside recycling for all residents, and this deal allows us to get that done.”

Illinois-based Lakeshore Recycling Systems will be the city’s new trash service provider for the foreseeable future, a welcome addition to the city. The Board of Public Works unanimously approved a 10-year contract with Lakeshore Recycling, which will begin in January 2026.

They will take over the 157,000 units currently covered by Waste Management and Republic Works. Bloyd said once this change happens, residents will not see a change in their bill.

“Residents pay a solid waste user fee that’s apart of their property taxes,” said Bloyd. “There is no plan or intention to raise fees or introduce new fees as part of this deal.”

DPW officials said the city currently pays $11.25 per unit per month for trash collection. The new contract with LRS would bring that fee down to about $7.88, resulting in about $7 million in annual savings.

The company will also assist in the city’s planned 2028 transition to universal curbside recycling, which will cost the city $13 million in the first year. LRS set the cost at $3.87 per unit per month.

“We’re going to have a new materials recycling facility built here in Marion County, creating local jobs,” Bloyd said. “WM is going to be building that, and that’s going to allow us to kind of put all the pieces together in order to have a successful rollout.”

DPW says you can expect to see those new grey and blue trash bins at your front door by the end of this year.