FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Indiana’s Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) has given out $3.7 million to five organizations in Indiana to help expand their recycling programs.
The RMDP was created by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management as a part of the Central Indiana Waste Diversion Project (CIWDP). The CIWDP was created in 2022 to help find practical and effective ways to divert recyclable materials from waste for commercial reuse. As a result of these actions the project is hoping to strengthen Indiana’s economy by creating new jobs, and helping solve local supply chain and production issues.
American Metals received $911,519 towards getting equipment that will allow them to disassemble and process magnets, batteries, and ferrous metals. At full capacity the new lines are expected to go through 3,000 tons of battery material and 12,000 tons of magnet material a year. This waste is normally shipped overseas.
Electronic Recyclers International, Indiana, Inc. was awarded $1,000,000 to expand their solar panel collection opportunities. ERI plans to use the money to buy equipment that will allow them to safely dismantle a wide variety of solar panels and increase the amount of materials that can be recovered. At the current rate, they expect to be able to recycle an extra 250 tons per year.
Heidelberg Material Inc. was awarded $500,000 to start the “ConcreteCycle Indiana” project. They will use the money to purchase a closed-circuit plant and conveyors. Doing so will allow the company to start an innovative concrete and rebar recycling project designed to avoid unnecessary disposal of construction materials. They expect this to divert 75,000 tons a year through this process.
Indiana Oxygen Company was given $500,000 to buy excavating, powder handling, and drying equipment. They plan to use these new purchases to process the calcium hydroxide, or lime, waste byproduct that is in the company’s holding pond. The dried material can then be given to industries such as Indiana farmers, power plants, wastewater treatment plants, and highway departments that have a heavy need for it. They expect that the holding pond can provide 74,000 tons of the material.
Lastly, Republic Services received $788,481 that will be used to purchase an optical sorter for PET plastic. This plastic is generally found in beverage bottles. The sorter will help to enhance the accuracy of sorting recyclable materials and help handle increased volumes of all the plastic received at the facility. This is expected to divert an extra 410 tons of plastic a year. For more information on the RMDP including other grant opportunities for the future, you can visit this link.
