Carmel Launches Campaign Sign Recycling Program

City utilities partner with Hamilton County and Recycle Force to keep yard signs out of local landfills after the midterm elections.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Stacked white plastic yard-sign blanks lean in a concrete loading bay beside a gray municipal dock under overcast autumn light. — Carmel Utilities and Hamilton County will collect campaign yard signs through November 21 at the Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Site to keep them out of local landfills. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you take your campaign yard signs to a recycling drop-off site?

The City of Carmel Utilities has launched a campaign sign recycling initiative with the Hamilton County Hazardous Waste Center and Recycle Force. The program runs through November 21 and accepts yard signs at the Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Site.

Why it matters

Campaign signs cannot be placed out with regular curbside recycling, so the program gives residents a way to dispose of them without sending them to a local landfill. Some campaigns also accept the return of yard signs, which residents can arrange as an alternative.

Residents can drop off signs at 901 N. Range Line Road on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday through Friday) or Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The site is closed Mondays and on November 11.

The players

City of Carmel Utilities

The municipal utility department of Carmel, Indiana, which launched the campaign sign recycling initiative.

Hamilton County Hazardous Waste Center

The county facility that partners with Carmel on hazardous waste collection and the sign recycling program.

Recycle Force

A recycling organization that partners with the city and county on the campaign sign recycling initiative.

The details

Residents take campaign signs to the Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Site to take part in the program. Those who cannot return signs to their campaigns can use the city's recycling program as an alternative.

Wednesday (week of November 4, 2026): Campaign sign recycling initiative begins.
November 11, 2026: Hazardous waste site closed for Veterans Day.
November 21, 2026: Campaign sign recycling initiative ends.

Civic Engagement Pattern

Municipal recycling programs for campaign signs have become a recurring post-election response in local governments, as yard signs are barred from regular curbside pickup. Carmel's program follows this pattern by routing sign disposal through its household hazardous waste facility.

Residents with campaign yard signs should take them to the Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Site at 901 N. Range Line Road before November 21. Those who cannot return signs to the campaign can use the city's recycling program during the open hours.

The takeaway

Check with the campaign that placed a yard sign before disposing of it, since some campaigns will take signs back. Otherwise, bring the sign to the Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Site before November 21 to keep it out of the landfill.