Scoop: New recycling option in the works for Jefferson Parish
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Jefferson Parish council members are expected to vote next week on whether to bring recycling back for residents.
Why it matters: Residents in unincorporated areas have been without recycling since January.
Driving the news: Councilmember Jennifer Van Vrancken tells Axios that Realcycle, a local recycling company, is submitting a proposal to operate two drop-off locations plus a popup at the Old Metairie Farmers Arts Market.
- She plans to add it to the agenda for next week's council meeting.
How it works: Realcycle would collect glass, aluminum and cardboard but not plastic, Van Vrancken said.
- The drop-off sites would be at the parish-owned locations on David Drive and Lapalco Boulevard, she said. Hours would be limited, and residents would need proof of their address.
- Proposals details, including the cost to the parish, were not immediately available.
Zoom out: The long-term plan, she said, is to return curbside recycling to Jefferson Parish but residents would have to opt in individually. That could be another six months.
- The parish may explore other recycling options as well, Council Chairman Scott Walker told Axios but declined to elaborate.
Reality check: Any proposal needs approval from the council.
- Earlier this month, the council voted 4-3 not to sign a new $6.1 million contract with Ramelli Waste for curbside recycling. It would have replaced the one with Waste Management that expired in December.
Friction point: Council members, when voting against the contract, cited the increased monthly costs and low participation.
- Only 30% of residents participated in curbside recycling, leaders say.
- "We have not given up on recycling in Jefferson Parish," said Walker, who voted against the Ramelli contract. "We're simply taking a pause to find the best way for the future."
DIY recycling options
These are some of the DIY recycling options currently available in Metairie:
Glass: Glass Half Full collects glass every week at 3935 Louisa Street. (Drop-off schedule)
- It also has paid residential pickup service and other drop-off locations through Glassroots.
- The Crescent City Farmers Market also has a drop-off location every Sunday from 8-noon at Tad Gormley Stadium. You can drop off glass, aluminum, cardboard and food waste for compost.
Curbside: Realcycle offers a paid weekly residential service for glass, cardboard, aluminum and food waste.
- Glass Half Full also offers mixed recycling pickup in Jefferson Parish for its glass customers.
Plastic bags: Rouses, Winn-Dixie and Target have bins at the front of the stores to recycle plastic shopping bags.
Mixed recycling: Target has recycling drop-off bins inside the store for plastic, aluminum and glass.
- Glass Half Full accepts aluminum, cardboard, plastic and glass at its dropoff site too.
Household electronics: Best Buy locations allow up to three items per day at its stores. See list.