For the second consecutive year, RecycleForce has issued the RecycleIndy Challenge to businesses, organizations and communities throughout Central Indiana. With a goal of collecting 500,000 lbs of electronics for recycling through special events in November, the RecycleIndy Challenge highlights the importance of recycling as a means of job creation.
“The number one reason to increase recycling rates is simple,” said RecycleForce President, Gregg Keesling, “Recycling means jobs.”
Job creation is particularly important to the R2-certified (Responsible Recycler) social enterprise. RecycleForce assists formally incarcerated individuals by providing comprehensive on-the job workforce training in a service-rich environment.
According the Indiana Recycling Coalition, Hoosiers trash away 6 million tons of waste each year, but 66 percent of that waste is recyclable. If Indiana were to capture 25 percent more recyclables, there is the potential for 10,000 new jobs.
The RecycleIndy Challenge is also an opportunity to emphasize how recycling trims greenhouse gas emissions, reduces pollution, saves energy and conserves resources by extracting fewer virgin materials from the earth.
The RecycleIndy Challenge coincides with America Recycles Day, a program of Keep America Beautiful. Since its inception in 1997, communities across the country have organized events for America Recycles Day on Nov. 15 to promote recycling awareness, commitment and action.
For a list of all items accepted for recycling and updates on collection events and locations, visit RecycleIndy.com.
