As Hoosiers continue cleaning up from this month’s historic flooding, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is reminding residents to handle waste and debris safely and responsibly.
When possible, disaster debris should be separated into the following categories:
- Vegetative debris (trees, brush, other natural growth material)
- Household hazardous waste (pesticides, household chemicals, and similar items)
- Construction/demolition debris (building materials)
- Solid waste (general trash/debris)
Proper separation is important because mixed or improperly handled debris can harbor contaminants, sharp objects, mold, and hazardous materials that pose serious health and safety risks to residents and cleanup crews. Sorting debris correctly helps ensure that dangerous items are identified and managed safely.
Residents should use extreme caution when entering flood damaged buildings or working near debris. Wearing protective gloves, safety glasses, and sturdy footwear, avoiding unsafe structures, and keeping children and pets away from work areas can greatly reduce the risk of injury.
Items that cannot be disinfected or recycled should be discarded. This includes flood soaked drywall, insulation, mattresses, carpeting and carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam rubber items, books, and most paper products.
As a reminder, asbestos containing materials may not be burned. Other materials, such as rubber, plastics and other regulated solid waste materials also cannot be burned. Only clean wood waste or vegetative debris may be burned where local ordinances allow.
Many local and county agencies will offer special collection programs. Soil, clean wood, and clean building materials are often accepted at facilities that handle construction and demolition waste. Residents can help accelerate cleanup efforts by keeping general solid waste separate from construction debris.
Always follow the instructions of local authorities and your local Solid Waste Management District (SWMD). Guidance may evolve as emergency management plans continue to be implemented, so residents should monitor official announcements for updates.