Recycling in Portage, IN

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Donate (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of Michiana
  • All Goodwill of Michiana retail stores have a drive-up donation door with an attendant during scheduled hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Locations (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of Michiana
  • Goodwill lists its Portage Store at 5906 Lute Rd., ZIP 46368. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Store hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Central); donation drive-thru opens one hour earlier. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Electronics Recycling (opens in new tab) · Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction District
  • Recyclable electronics include computers, monitors, laptops, batteries, microwaves and televisions; refrigerators and large appliances are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Valparaiso Compost Site (opens in new tab) · Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction District
  • Pickup and drop-off are free for Porter County residents; non-residents are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The site also takes household batteries, electronics (computers, televisions, cell phones) and household recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop-Off Recycling Locations (opens in new tab) · Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction District
  • The Valparaiso Compost Site is one of the district's drop-off recycling sites, which accept flattened large cardboard boxes. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bulk Items (opens in new tab) · City of Portage
  • Bulk items may include TVs, computers and other e-waste, tables, chairs, washers and dryers, furniture, mattress sets and dressers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Pre-scheduled bulk pickup is allowed up to 40 square feet; report items 24 hours ahead at (219) 762-4564, online or by email. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No fee on pre-scheduled days for less than 40 square feet; $40.00 on other days for less than 40 square feet; $100.00 for 41-99 square feet. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The bulk pickup request form lists Mattress/Boxspring and Couch/Loveseat/Recliner among items to be picked up. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No tires or hazardous waste are allowed in totes or as bulk items. Checked October 26, 2026.
• FAQs (opens in new tab) · City of Portage
  • The Street and Sanitation Department is at 2303 Hamstrom Road, Portage, IN 46368. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycling Drop-Off (opens in new tab) · City of Portage
  • The recycling center at the Portage Streets and Sanitation Department accepts folded or cut-up cardboard boxes; a yard pass is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Recycle Indiana: Indiana E-Cycle (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Makers of video display devices (TVs, monitors, laptops, netbooks, notebooks, tablets and e-readers) must collect and recycle covered electronics from Indiana households, public schools and small businesses equal to at least 60% by weight of what they sell to Indiana households. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The ban covers municipal waste meant for a landfill and any waste meant for burning or incineration. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • IDEM's List of Indiana E-Cycle Registered Collectors by County gives drop-off locations for e-waste recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Fact Sheet: Indiana E-Cycle: Collectors (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • The Indiana e-waste law neither requires nor prohibits recycling fees charged to consumers or by collectors; reducing or eliminating public fees is only a program goal. Residents may therefore be charged at a drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Devices from private schools, nonprofits, government agencies and large businesses do not count toward manufacturer obligations. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Recycle Indiana: Indiana Regulations Affecting Electronic Waste (e-Waste) (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Since January 1, 2011, Indiana households, public and charter schools and small businesses may not throw away the listed electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Recycle Indiana: Electronic Waste (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Televisions and computer monitors are on the list of electronics Indiana households may not discard. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computers (desktops, laptops and tablets) are on the list of electronics Indiana households may not discard. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The ban also covers e-readers, fax machines and computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, external hard drives, printers, all-in-one printer/scanner/copiers and projectors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Also banned from household trash: DVD players (including DVD-capable game systems), digital photo frames, digital media and MP3 players, camcorders and cameras, DVRs and cable/satellite boxes, and portable GPS units. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Recycle Indiana: How Do I Get Rid of Electronic Waste (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Many Indiana solid waste management districts run electronics recycling programs for their residents; IDEM tells residents to contact their district. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Many electronics manufacturers run take-back programs for their own products; IDEM lists registered makers with such programs (including Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung and Vizio) and says many accept all brands. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • IDEM advises removing all personal information before recycling or donating electronics; simply deleting files does not remove them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Indiana E-Cycle provides electronics recycling collection for households, public schools and small businesses in the state; IDEM says to contact a collection site before visiting to check what it accepts. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM: Indiana Registered E-Cycle Collectors by County (PDF, June 2026) (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • IDEM notes that some registered collection sites restrict which devices they accept; contact the site for hours, accepted e-waste and other details. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM: Indiana E-Cycle: Collectors (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Covered electronic devices include computers, fax machines, DVD players and DVD-capable game systems, VCRs, digital photo frames, media and MP3 players, camcorders, cameras, DVRs, portable GPS units, video display devices and peripherals such as keyboards, mice, external drives and printers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered entities are Indiana households, public schools and small businesses (independently owned, no more than 100 employees and average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less). Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Managing Waste: Waste Tire Management (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Indiana landfills may not accept whole waste tires (IC 13-20-14-1), with limited exemptions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses that sell new tires at retail must accept waste tires, one for one, from customers who buy new tires from them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Open dumping or open burning of waste tires is illegal in Indiana. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Recycle Indiana: Waste Tire Recycling and Proper Disposal (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Some solid waste management districts and local governments hold tire amnesty days; IDEM says to check their websites or contact them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses that sell new tires at retail must accept waste tires, one for one, from consumers who buy new tires from them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM Managing Waste: Landfills (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Under 329 IAC 10-9-2, municipal solid waste landfills must not accept whole waste tires, lead-acid batteries or mercury switches, among other wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • Spent lead-acid batteries may not be discarded in Indiana landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Spent lead-acid (automotive) batteries can be returned to sellers; Indiana dealers must take old batteries when new ones are bought. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid batteries are also often included in household hazardous waste collection programs. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.