Citizens urged to recycle

Bi-monthly drop-off dates scheduled

Though curbside recycling disappeared in the parish after Hurricane Katrina, residents still have the chance to turn in recyclable materials during bi-monthly drop-off events scheduled throughout the year.

“The council recognizes that recycling is important to maintaining the quality of life we enjoy, and that our environment is one of the best things in life that comes free,” Council Chairman Dennis Nuss said. “We also recognize that recycling is important to the citizens of St. Charles Parish who want to make a tangible contribution to their environment.”

The drop-off date is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 3 with sites on both sides of the river. Those wishing to recycle can head to the St. Charles Plaza on Hwy. 90 in Luling and the Allen Arterbury Building on River Road in New Sarpy.

Recycling is free to the public and the parish doesn’t use any public funds to conduct the drop-off.

According to council secretary Barbara Jacob-Tucker, 16,120 pounds of recyclables were collected in March. Those materials included plastic containers, paper, cardboard, paperboard, shredded paper, newspapers, magazines, phone books and metal containers such as aluminum and steel.
Tommy Cheatham, of the Recycling Foundation of Baton Rouge, said that her company must collect 15,000 pounds of material to consider the trip to the parish successful.

“People always thank us and are happy to have another option,” Cheatham said. “We’re really trying to keep people in the habit of recycling.”

Cheatham says that the drop-off events are meant to be a temporary fix. She believes that resuming curbside service should be the ultimate goal. Nuss said he favors a regional approach to make curbside recycling more cost-effective.
A curbside program previously began in the parish in 1994, but Katrina took recycling plants in Eastern New Orleans offline, so the cost-effectives of a local program remains low.

During each drop-off event this year, volunteers will gather information about participant’s opinions on recycling and their current place of residence. Cheatham says she hopes the information will help her company target their events better and help the parish consider future recycling plans.
Those interested in bringing materials to the next event should make sure bags, boxes and other enclosures are easy to remove. Drop-off is typically handled in drive-through fashion, with volunteers unloading recyclables directly from vehicles.

The Recycling Foundation will not accept glass.

There will be a Special Projects, Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee meeting at 6 p.m. on April 23 in the council chambers. Recycling will be on the agenda.

 

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