The city has expanded the type and amount of materials accepted and has invited residents of West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County and Purdue University to participate. Education and outreach efforts include a flyer and brochure on environmentally conscious lawn care that are mailed to each West Lafayette household. The city of Bloomington, through the Sanitation Division of the Department of Public Works, offers curbside collection of trash, yard waste and recyclables to approximately 13,500 single-family homes. While the city experienced a 42 percent increase in the number of households serviced, trash collected since 1994 increased only nine percent, while recyclables increased by 67 percent. The city has diverted more than 11,220 tons of recyclables and yard waste from the Monroe County landfill since 1991.
Recycling is collected free of charge.
The district has created a model drop-off program for rural communities without major private recyclers. In 18 months this rural district diverted approximately 900 tons from landfills. The district sponsors several reuse opportunities that are exemplary for a rural community, including a paint exchange program, Refrigerator Round-Up and tire recycling day. In addition, all the promotional and educational supplies the district uses are made with recycled content. The district also encourages business recycling.