Illegal dumping closes Goshen recycling center indefinitely 

As of Monday, July 21st, the location remains closed.

City officials say it will remain closed indefinitely while the city reevaluates its feasibility.

City officials also state this is the only public drop off location of its kind in Elkhart County.

The city uses fencing, surveillance, and signage to help curb illegal dumping. So far, 34 enforcement citations have been issued.

Officials say things like mattresses filled with bedbugs and dead chickens are among the items that have been thrown away over the years at this recycling facility.

Doug Kline, a Goshen resident, says he’s seen people trying to throw away trash.

“It’s very frustrating, 'cause we keep larger cardboard, and we bring it here. So, we cut it up a good size. And then you've just got people just throw their trash in here,” said Kline.

One city official says it's about balancing the benefit of recycling with the costs associated with violations and operations.

“City staff has undergone Herculean efforts to keep this facility operating for the broader community,” Mayor Gina Leichty said. “But if it isn’t used correctly and we must provide ongoing staffing to prevent illegal dumping, we cannot afford to reopen. That level of oversight doesn’t align with our budget priorities, especially as we face difficult cuts across the general fund as a result of Senate Bill 1.”

Goshen has bi-weekly recycling pickup for residents through Borden Waste Away. A city official tells ABC57 this recycling site is to help businesses in Goshen, as well as residents with Goshen addresses living outside the city limits. Recycling pickup isn't provided for city businesses.

Below is a general timeline given to ABC57 by the city regarding Goshen’s Recycling Center on 802 N. Indiana Avenue:

• August 2022 -Goshen launches curbside recycling with Borden Waste-Away. The drop-off site at 802 N. Indiana Ave. becomes a designated public recycling location.
• Spring 2023 - After Elkhart County recycling sites close, Goshen’s center becomes the only public drop-off location in the county. Average use rises to more than 150 drop-offs per day, often overwhelming collection bins.
• Mid-2023 - The city installs security cameras to monitor illegal dumping and capture license plate data. Footage is used to investigate after-hours and commercial misuse.
• Late 2023 - Goshen City Council adopts formal usage rules for the center, including quantity limits and restrictions on commercial use.
• Late 2024 - The City installs a perimeter fence around the site that is locked during non-operational hours to further discourage off-hours dumping.
• On December 20 - Goshen City Council increases the maximum fine for illegal dumping to $2,500, up from the previous $500 cap. The change is intended to deter persistent abuse and protect public resources.
• June 2024 - Elkhart County temporarily closes other recycling centers due to illegal dumping. Goshen’s site remains open but faces increased strain from regional use.
• By July 2025 - The City has issued 34 citations for illegal dumping at the Indiana Avenue site, most based on video surveillance evidence.
• June 3–9, 2025 - The center closes temporarily due to road construction on Indiana Avenue. Services resume on June 9.
• July 18–21, 2025 - The site is closed again following a spike in illegal dumping.