Indianapolis Department of Public Works officials and city outreach staff told attendees at a neighborhood meeting that the city began delivering new trash carts on Oct. 6 as part of a transition to vendor LRS and that several related recycling changes will follow.

The change affects households served by city-contracted solid-waste districts. Natalie Grandoggan, director of community outreach for the city, said the city affixed step‑by‑step instructions to each new cart rather than mailing notices because “people toss mailers” and the city wanted residents to get information when the cart arrived. Grandoggan told the meeting: “I would say put it out, at the street on your next pickup day, and leave it out until it gets picked up.”

Why this matters: the swap changes how old carts are collected, alters subscription recycling invoices this winter and commits the city to a curbside recycling rollout in 2028 that will expand recycling access beyond drop‑off sites.

Officials’ instructions and timing
- Deliveries began Oct. 6; crews leave a door‑hanger on the new cart explaining next steps. Residents should place the new cart out on their next scheduled pickup day and set their old cart at the curb for collection. Grandoggan said leaving the old cart at the curb until it is picked up reduces missed collections if schedules slip. Todd Wilson of the Department of Public Works said the city “are over 60,000 cars delivered so far.”
- If a household previously paid for an additional private cart, that extra cart remains with the resident and will not be taken.
- Subscription recycling customers will receive an invoice from LRS in December for the vendor’s subscription service; the city’s universal curbside recycling program is scheduled for 2028.
- LRS will use existing subscription recycling carts during the transition; subscription recycling and trash service rules differ.

Leaf pickup and ADA service
Adam Pinscher of the DPW public information office said leaf collection will start Nov. 10 and recommended residents use plastic bags (not paper) because paper can deteriorate in rain. Pinscher said crews will collect up to 40 bags per pickup and that bags should be set out on the resident’s regular trash day.

DPW staff also noted an ADA trash-collection option for residents who cannot move carts: the service lets drivers pick up carts at an accessible location for qualifying households.

Community concerns raised
Residents questioned whether non‑online households had been adequately notified and whether carts left at sidewalks or alleys create hazards. Staff acknowledged the notifications gap and urged residents to call the Mayor’s Action Center for individual issues; they said the vendor’s collection methods (flatbed trailers used during the exchange) explain why carts must be staged at the curb rather than in some alleys. DPW staff agreed to follow up with neighborhood representatives on specific alley or sidewalk blockages.

Recycling drop‑off sites and interim options
Multiple residents reported that community recycling drop‑off locations have been removed from some retail sites, in part because partner stores changed policies or closed. DPW staff said locating new host sites is an ongoing effort and encouraged neighborhoods to propose candidate locations through their mayor’s neighborhood advocate or the Mayor’s Action Center. For households that want curbside recycling now, officials said subscription recycling is available for a fee until the 2028 universal program begins.

What to do next
Residents who have questions or need accommodations were told to contact the Mayor’s Action Center, their mayor’s neighborhood advocate or DPW’s community outreach staff. Officials said they will continue to post transition information on indy.gov and to use community outreach channels.

Ending: The city will continue the rollout over the coming weeks and months and said it will follow up directly with neighborhoods that report cart‑placement or alley‑access problems.