Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center to Close by Year End

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2016

For more information, please contact:
Adam Wason, Public Works Director, wasona@bloomington.in.gov, 812.349.3410

Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center to Close by Year End

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington and the Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center have announced that the facility at 489 W. 10th St. will cease operations by the end of November.

Open since 2011, the Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center has been operated by the founder of Bloomington Pedal Power, Chad Roeder. Chad and many volunteers and interns have operated the facility as a public recycling drop-off site on land owned by the City of Bloomington located in a parking area behind the Showers Building.

With the impending development of the Trades District and the growth in tenants in and around the Certified Technology Park, the decision to close was made knowing that this location will have increased pressure in the immediate months and years. The Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center was originally planned as a privately-operated pilot project in a temporary location.

"Chad's dedication to the environment and to recycling is truly admirable. Two hundred tons of recyclable materials have stayed out of landfill as a direct result of these efforts. Our community owes Chad and the volunteer workers and interns our gratitude," commented Mayor John Hamilton.

Public Works Director Adam Wason said, "With development comes change, and as the Trades District gets ready for construction, we have to discontinue this location as a recycling center. I wouldn't rule out a downtown recycling center some time again in the future, provided the right location and business model could be identified."

Operator Chad Roeder said of the impending closure, "I am honored to have been part of such a unique undertaking. Although we cannot relocate the facility without incurring unmanageable costs, it is my hope that something positive may come from this, and that the efforts of the numerous volunteers, interns and community members who helped make it a reality will be remembered."

Those individuals and businesses who have used the downtown center are encouraged to utilize the City's curbside collection system or take their recyclable materials to one of the five Monroe County Solid Waste Management District's Recycling Centers throughout the county. Addresses and hours for those recycling centers can be found at gogreendistrict.com.

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