Officials tout public’s participation in recycling

Terrebonne Parish is working on getting a little greener, as a new program to implement curbside recycling pick-up to subdivisions in the parish was introduced at last week’s Public Services Committee meeting.

The new recycling service would execute a weekly service in picking up various commingled residential recyclables such as light metals, plastic and paper materials. No glass recyclables will be accepted. The items would be automatically sorted at a material recovery facility, according to utilities director Tom Bourg.

“We want to serve the most residents at the least possible cost,” Bourg said. “We will go through a subscription period, and we will try to map a contiguous service area for council consideration and approval.”

The subscription would cost each household $10 per quarter, or every three months, for an 18-gallon container. The subscription will be opening up parish-wide. According to Bourg, the subscription can be attained online and at all payment centers. He said mail-out subscriptions could also be forthcoming.

“We will try to do it in increments of developments, so we will stop at last sizeable development or last development with sizeable subscription level,” Bourg explained.

In order for the parish to proceed with the program, it would need to reach 10,000 subscribers, as it would be a self-sustaining program supported only by user fees.

Councilwoman Teri Cavalier showed concern about the potential service’s carbon footprint in picking up recycling from subdivisions at the edge of the parish.

“Every time you pick up, you have to drive all the way out there,” she said. “And the amount of fuel that you’re using is larger than what you’re reducing by that one subdivision if you don’t pick up along the way also.”

Bourg assured Cavalier if a subdivision is included in the program, pick-ups would include every area up to that subdivision.

SWDI, now owned by IESI, will be managing the program under the same contract, according to Bourg, and will provide a truck to make the pick-ups.

Both Bourg and council members expect to see a high turn out in subscribers.

“It’s a great thing the $100,000 that we’re already spending for people to drive in and drop [their recycling] off has been wildly successful. A vast majority of constituents are really interested in seeing this happen and I think we’ll see a high subscription rate,” councilman Kevin Voisin said.

Voisin added the program should have a positive effect over time, as less trash will be generated in subdivisions, and already existing bins in the community recycling program will take less time to fill.

“I get calls about recycling. I will tell you those bins are full in my district at least twice a week because I’m the first person that they call,” Voisin said.

“It’s great to see that people care and that they’re trying to make a difference and they’ll subscribe. They’re not just people who want to throw something out in their front yard and have somebody else take care of it, they are willing to pay for the privilege of recycling,” Voisin continued, and expressed his excitement for the program.

A public hearing on the new recycling program will be held in the council chambers on Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m., but Bourg expects to begin getting subscriptions prior to October.

One of Terrebonne Parish’s community recycling receptacles sits behind Rite-Aid on St. Charles Street. Residents drive up and drop off recyclables and often fill the recycle bins with materials twice a week. JENNA FARMER