Circular Indiana

Does it matter if I recycle? Yes it does! Amcor Rigid Packaging demonstrates in this video how they turn recycled products into new products every single day in Franklin Indiana. Watch now: https://vimeo.com/963411746. to learn how Amcor is achieving PET-packaging circularity and how we could do better as a state through education, recycling access, infrastructure and governmental leadership. You can also learn more about advancing residential recycling at:
https://recyclingpartnership.org/residential-recycling-report/

Come say Hi to Circular Indiana this Sunday at the following events!
**Earth Day at the JCC in Indianapolis** https://jccindy.org/earth-day/
**EcoFest in Fort Wayne** https://ecofestfw.com/
We can't wait to see you there!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Bloomington for our Circular Meetup! Special thanks to Co-Host, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, for their support and insightful tour of their transfer station and to Waste Reduction District of Monroe County for helping to pull us together! We had a productive discussion with various representatives from Monroe and surrounding counties, and are looking forward to working more closely together in the future! Stay tuned and join us for our next event to get involved!

Bloomington, We want to hear from you! Come join us for a tour of Rumpke's Transfer Station, as well as a networking event at Upland Brewery to talk about the current and desired state of all things Circular and Sustainable in your city! Co-hosted by Rumpke and Circular Indiana, you will be able to attend one or both sessions of this event, and provide input on current challenges and potential solutions needed to advance circularity in your area. REGISTER TODAY!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dd2x5ut

Hey Fort Wayne, thanks for hanging out with us! Your work toward circularity is truly inspiring. We will see you at Eco Fest in May – https://ecofestfw.com/ - mark your calendars! A shoutout to our sponsor, Quincy Recycle! Their commitment to sustainable waste solutions is making a real difference. Dive into Quincy's initiatives at https://www.quincyrecycle.com/

🌍 Exciting News, Fort Wayne! 🌿 Join us for the Fort Wayne Meetup on January 24, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Baker Street Steakhouse (4820 N Clinton St). 🎉

Connect with Circular Indiana board members, local sustainability experts, small business owners, and fellow eco-conscious individuals. 🌱 Let's come together to make a positive impact on our planet!

📅 Date: January 24, 2024
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Venue: Baker Street Steakhouse, 4820 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, Indiana

🍽 Appetizers and drinks provided! Enjoy a delightful late afternoon with like-minded people. Learn about Circular Indiana, network with sustainability enthusiasts, and get updates on ongoing initiatives in Greater Fort Wayne.

📌 Limited spots available, so don't miss out! RSVP by January 19 to secure your spot: (https://www.eventcreate.com/e/cifw)

Let's build a sustainable community together! 🌎✨

We are pleased to send you the first in a series of short storytelling videos that illustrate how various Indiana organizations exhibit Circular Economy principles. We believe these success stories can inform and motivate all of us on how to advance waste management leadership in our state and beyond.

In the attached video story, Cory Peter, the CEO of Nutrition 101 in Pendleton, Indiana, describes how food production wastes can be maintained at the highest value while diverting materials from landfills and generating economic value. Please enjoy this 2 minute story and freely share it within your personal network. https://vimeo.com/circularindiana/nutrition101?share=copy

Same great content, new website! Our website address has changed—visit https://www.circularin.org/ to view blogs, news, and ways to become more circular.

Circular Indiana is actively engaging within Indiana to educate and advocate circularity. We recently attended the Pacer Stem fest and the Earth Day Indiana Festival with educational games and conversations about reducing, reusing, recycling and composting.

We are continuing building awareness and actions around the benefits of keeping valuable materials in our economy. Join us on October 7 for the Celebrate Science Fair at the Indiana State Fairground.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-science-indiana-2023-tickets-638376359877

Happy Earth Day 2023! This year's Earth Day Theme is "Take Action" and Circular Indiana continues to do just that. As we continue to find ways to advocate for a more resilient state, we were honored to present to the Indianapolis Environmental Sustainability Committee on April 17 in support of the Department of Public Works proposed Waste Minimization Plan, and on the need for, and economic benefits of, a multi year, comprehensive plan and infrastructure to divert waste and create a circular economy in our state.

Many other businesses operating in Indiana also presented on the economic benefits of waste minimization for their organizations and on their desire to help promote circular economy practices in our state.

Watch the session here: https://indianapolis.granicus.com/player/clip/22754?view_id=3&redirect=true&h=654ff7cb722563b47a3e9f48774b16a4

As we work toward the creation of a circular economy in Indiana, we are seeking statewide engagement and increased educational and collaborative opportunities for all stakeholders. We appreciate your feedback which you can provide at [email protected], through our website, or by requesting a discussion directly with a board member.

Circular Indiana is grateful for every individual who has worked to strengthen our organization and set it on a path toward success in serving Hoosiers. We appreciate your support and are excited about our future.

Happy Birthday to us–today, December 5th, Circular Indiana is 33 years strong! As we take time to celebrate this milestone by recognizing our many accomplishments, we are also mobilizing around the critical work still left to do. Our mission is to educate, advocate and innovate toward a better future for Indiana by eliminating waste and creating a more circular economy, and the need has never been greater!

Together, our Board and staff are stronger than ever and committed to elevating our mission in all we do, but we could not do it without your help! It is only through the generosity of our donors that we can pursue new efforts empowering circular behavioral change statewide in 2023.

Can we count on your donation today? Thanks to our generous Board of Directors, your donation will be matched!

Giving Tuesday is not only about individuals giving to a cause. It’s about feeling the impact of your gift. This Giving Tuesday, Circular Indiana wants to bring your gift full circle by doubling your donation. Thanks to our generous Board of Directors, your donation will be MATCHED! https://www.circularindiana.org/support-us

All donations include a 2023 Circular Indiana Membership. We recently updated our memberships, and all members have access to our digital recycling, waste reduction, and circular economy guides and blogs.

Circular Indiana recently participated in the Celebrate Science Indiana event at the state fairgrounds. This annual event is focused on inspiring children to pursue STEM studies.The theme of the 2022 fair was "Protecting Our Earth,” and Circular Indiana’s booth focused on “Protecting Our Earth through a Circular Economy.” Over 1,000 children attended the event, and those who stopped at our booth learned why and how the circular economy protects the earth and the important role science plays in the circular economy. Children participated in a game called “Target Your Trash” where they identified trash and launched a nerf ball at the appropriate solution—reduce, reuse, or recycle.

Special thanks to our Board of Directors, volunteers, BRICS Ice Cream, and the American Chemical Society (ACS) for making this event possible!

Throwing out food doesn’t just waste nutrients, it wastes the water and other resources used to grow it. Agriculture is globally the largest consumer of water resources, using almost 70% of our freshwater consumption, according to the World Bank. By reducing food waste, we can also reduce our use of precious water resources.

Circular Indiana will be exhibiting at the October 1st Celebrate Science Indiana festival, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This is a kid-friendly and public event that demonstrates the importance of studying science and the joy of discovery. This year’s theme is “Protecting Our Earth,” and our booth will focus on the scientific aspects of the circular economy. Stop by our booth this Saturday, and you might even receive a special prize.

Bluapple preserves produce longer to save waste and money. It works by absorbing the ethylene gas given off by fruits and vegetables, which keep them from ripening too fast and spoiling. Each produce saver lasts up to three months and can keep produce fresh 2-3 times longer than typical storage methods.

ON BEING CIRCULAR: Our focus is to lead the transformation in Indiana to a more circular economy. That system functions to keep products and materials in use longer to improve their efficiency. Reuse, sharing, repair & refurbishment are all key parts to that process. Shopping more sustainably is also a part of that process. It lessens the impact on our earth, creates jobs, and encourages businesses to follow suit by manufacturing smarter and being more circular.

Personal buying habits influence change.

www.thebluapple.com

Some kinds of soap create waste and harm the natural environment. By choosing more sustainable soaps, you can reduce the impact of your daily routine. What types of sustainable soap do you recommend?

Vertical farming is an innovative method for growing food that is catching on in Indiana. By utilizing hydroponics or aeroponics in a vertical arrangement in a controlled environment, vegetables and leafy greens are grown quickly, efficiently, and safely. Compared to traditional farming, this method uses less water, less space, and poses less risk of environmental harm from pesticide or fertilizer runoff.

DeMario Vitalis of New Age Provisions Farms in Indianapolis takes vertical farming to the next level by repurposing old shipping containers to grow lettuces and herbs for area restaurants. Read more about DeMario and other companies in Indiana that are utilizing vertical farming to grow their businesses up (not out) in the IndyStar. (Photo credit: IndyStar photographer Robert Scheer)

The carbon footprint of liquid soap is 25% greater per wash than bar soap. Bar soap uses less packaging, and contains less water (transport weight). Liquid soap require 5 times more energy to create, and people tend to use more liquid soap per wash. (2009, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Switzerland) Although some have a fatty base, bar soap is still more eco-friendly overall. Consider switching to bar soaps, especially organic ones, in places that make sense at home. Be sure to prioritize those that use sustainable oils.

Organics is a big topic, but we cover everything you need to know about yard waste, food waste, and more in our 4 most recent blog posts. A major sector of Indiana’s economy is industrial agriculture, and the critical nutrients in Indiana’s food waste are a valuable opportunity to reduce waste and improve the health of our soil. For more on how you can participate in the organics circular economy and reduce food waste, visit the BLOGS section of our website, here: https://www.circularindiana.org/news

Try Dr. Bronner’s Soap, made with organic ingredients sourced with sustainability in mind. In both bar and liquid, Dr. Bronner’s soap helps preserve soil health through organic farming practices and uses renewable energy in production to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The company’s packaging also contains post-consumer recycled paper and plastic.

ON BEING CIRCULAR: Our focus is to lead the transformation in Indiana to a more circular economy. That system functions to keep products and materials in use longer to improve their efficiency. Reuse, sharing, repair & refurbishment are all key parts to that process. Shopping more sustainably is also a part of that process. It lessens the impact on our earth, creates jobs, and encourages businesses to follow suit by manufacturing smarter and being more circular.

Personal buying habits influence change.

Thanks to everyone who has given so far. We are up to $1366.67 in our campaign. If we can get to $1500, a mere $144 away, we will have a match from our partners at Quincy Recycle . Go to circularindiana.org/support-us to contribute to this valuable matching opportunity.

Making small changes to our eating habits can reduce food waste and minimize the impacts of our food. Choosing sustainable sources for foods, limiting food waste with smart recipes, and even reducing meat consumption are just some ways to decrease food waste. All helping the circular economy. How do you reduce food waste in your home?

Linda Broadfoot is the CEO of Second Helpings, a hunger relief organization and a key player in the circular economy. Keeping 3.7 million pounds of food from the landfill, they were able to provide meals and pantry support for 100 agencies in central Indiana. Linda has done everything in her career with sustainability in mind and has been a long time member of Circular Indiana. As she transitioned into the area of hunger relief, she sees sustainability as a motivator to capture even more recoverable food. Keeping people fed while also reducing greenhouse gas emitting food waste is a win-win. She thrives when she can see the intersection of the environment, service, and community, all in service to the greater good and those who need us most.

Food waste happens at all stages of the food system. 27% of food waste occurs on farms, 7% in food processing, 20% in food service, and 7% in retail. Learn more about where and how food waste occurs in the latest blog on our website: [ https://www.circularindiana.org/news ]

Read the results of the recent survey. Based on your feedback, we’ve refocused content and made it more accessible. In the past year, we’ve created a new website. We’ve also increased both our blogs and our social media presence, focusing on issues you care about most.

Go to: https://www.circularindiana.org/research-studies

This bin is a convenient size for storing on a countertop or under the sink and is ventilated to prevent mold and bacteria. There’s no odor and no leaking. Just change the bag once a week. Made out of 97% recycled plastic, the bin can hold up to 3 gallons of food scraps. Compostable bags are also available on their site: biobagusa.com.

ON BEING CIRCULAR: Our focus is to lead the transformation in Indiana to a more circular economy. That system functions to keep products and materials in use longer to improve their efficiency. Reuse, sharing, repair & refurbishment are all key parts to that process. Shopping more sustainably is also a part of that process. It lessens the impact on our earth, creates jobs, and encourages businesses to follow suit by manufacturing smarter and being more circular.

Personal buying habits influence change.

We are the only organization in the state focused on the circular economy. We can't do this work without you. If you give to Circular Indiana your gift will be doubled, and you’ll recieve a free t-shirt. Be the change. Help us create a more circular world.