Dive Brief:

• The Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC) has been approved for a specialty license plate that state residents can now purchase, with proceeds supporting the IRC’s statewide recycling programs and educational efforts. 
• Customers who renew by mail must specify they want an Indiana Recycling Coalition plate and submit fees for a specialty plate, which is $40 in addition to any regular plate fees. $25 per plate sale goes to the IRC. The plates are available for passenger vehicles, trucks up to 11,000 pounds, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles.
• The IRC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization of state and local government, business, industry, not-for-profits and individual members who support waste reduction, reuse, composting, and recycling in Indiana.

Dive Insight:

This newest push to keep recycling as a point of focus in Indiana comes soon after Noblesville became the first city in Indiana to offer the "Simple Recycling" free curbside recycling program. It also comes at a time when two senate bills may shift recycling and trash services statewide — requiring more support from residents. 

Fortunately, the license plate program — available for any resident who wishes to support recycling — is an easy funding method that, depending on success rate, can possibly be adapted across many other states in the nation. 

"We hope that over time thousands of Hoosiers will purchase the new recycling license plate.  By doing so, [they] will be sending the message that they recycle and they are proud to do their part to support a more sustainable Indiana," said IRC Executive Director Carey Hamilton, who anticipates this fundraising drive will have an environmental impact across the state.