Recycling for a sustainable holiday season INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – When Christmas brings gifts, it can leave behind waste.  The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) has seven public drop-off recycling sites available across Marion County. The sites feature dumpster-sized green boxes where people can dispose of glass, certain plastic, aluminum, and paper to be recycled at Republic Services facilities free of charge.  But people looking to have a sustainable season by recycling, can do more harm than good if they’re not being mindful of what’s recyclable.  Non-recyclable items are considered contaminants. Republic Services officials said one contaminant can lead to an entire truckload of recyclable items being sent to the landfill instead. Indy DPW officials told News 8 plastic grocery store bags can clog up the machine used to process recyclables.  Indy DPW had to reduce the number of drop-off sites this year because people were using some for non-recyclable items.  News 8 spotted several contaminants in the heavily-used box at the drop-off site near the Center Township government building Friday, including takeout containers and items soiled with food.  “I really hope people use this in the way it’s supposed to be used because it’s obviously a great resource to have,” Indianapolis resident Molly Matthews said while clearing a trunk full of cardboard.  According to Republic’s local recycling guidelines, residents can drop off:  All colors of glass.  Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers (Shampoo, milk, detergent, and yogurt. Not clamshell takeout containers. Plastics #1 and #2 are the most reliably recycled in Indianapolis). Aluminum, tin, steel beverage, and food cans. Newspapers, cardboard, paper, paper/paperboard cans, and magazines. No plastic bags, plastic film, or Styrofoam. (Provided Photo/Indianapolis Department of Public Works) Coated, glossy, or embellished gift bags and wrapping paper are not recyclable. Plain, uncoated, and unembellished products are. Ribbons and bows should not be recycled (but can be re-used). Packaging materials, like Styrofoam and bubble wrap, are not recyclable.  The seven recycling drop-off locations in Marion County (as of Dec. 26) are:  North Sahm Park, 6801 E. 91st St.  Broad Ripple Park, Evanston Ave Entrance, 6380 Evanston Ave.  Pike Township Trustee Office, 5665 Lafayette Rd. South  Southwestway Park (back parking lot by the baseball diamonds), 7501 Mann Rd. West Riverside Park, 1720 Burdsal Pkwy Central Center Township Trustee Office / Julia Carson Government Center, 300 E Fall Creek Parkway N Drive  Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Dr. Indy DPW has a list of sites to dispose of hard to recycle items, like Styrofoam, plastic bags, and hazardous waste. (Provided Photo/Republic Services) ...read more read less