INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis residents threw out a ton of trash in 2020 when they were stuck at home due to COVID-19 restrictions — more than 318,000 tons, in fact.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works Solid Waste division reported its highest tonnage ever collected in a single year, a news release said.
Across the city's 11 solid waste districts, crews collected 318,625 tons of waste. The number represented a nearly 11% increase from 2019, and the four districts serviced by Indy DPW solid waste drivers collected 129,021 tons, a 10% increase from the previous year.
Districts where Republic Services and Waste Management pick up the trash experienced similar increases, the city said.
"These numbers show the dedicated teamwork of Indy DPW employees as well as those at Republic Services and Waste Management," Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a release. "Thanks to their commitment to go above and beyond the call of duty, Indianapolis residents continued to receive essential services amidst an unprecedented year."
During the months Marion County was under lockdown, Indy DPW reported large increases in waste. For the year, each resident disposed of an average of 45 pounds of trash a week.
According to the city, despite the increase in waste, the number of complaints decreased 5% city-wide and 30% on Indy DPW routes.
