Governor Eric Holcomb has officially declared today as America Recycles Day in Indiana.

The proclamation, is in partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and highlights the significance of recycling across the state.

America Recycles Day, is the nation’s only dedicated recycling awareness day and aims to emphasize the economic, environmental, and social benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Currently, over half of Indiana’s waste is still sent to landfills or incinerated. The day serves as a reminder for Hoosiers to step up their recycling efforts, reduce waste, and support recycled products.

Locally, the Knox County Recycling and Solid Waste Management District works to improve community well-being through sustainable practices, waste reduction, and proper disposal methods. The Vincennes Recycling Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recycling efforts are growing statewide. Indiana’s recycling rate has increased from 12% in 2015 to 19% in 2023. Last year alone, Indiana diverted over 700,000 tons of recyclable materials from landfills, with paper, cardboard, and glass as the top materials recycled.