Posted on Jul 19, 2023 | Blog,News
Recycling Now Available at Four Louisiana State Parks
On July 18 at Fontainebleau State Park, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of State Parks announced in a press conference the launch of a new recycling pilot project, which allows park visitors to recycle aluminum cans and #1 PET plastic bottles at four state parks – Bogue Chitto, Fairview-Riverside, Fontainebleau, and Tickfaw.
This recycling pilot project is made possible through a grant from the Louisiana Beverage Association in coordination with the Pontchartrain Conservancy and the Osprey Initiative.
“Litter negatively impacts Louisiana in so many ways; litter hurts the environment, quality of life, and economic development,” Nungesser said. “By meeting park visitors where they are using cans and plastic drink bottles, we hope to not only prevent these items from entering waterways and roadways but also reduce the amount of recyclable material going to landfills.”
Pontchartrain Conservancy Executive Director Kristi Trail said, “Pontchartrain Conservancy is happy to assist our partners with recycling. Aside from keeping litter out of our waterways, recycling conserves natural resources, strengthens our economy, and creates jobs. It’s a great way to minimize our environmental impacts while enjoying our state parks.”
Materials will be collected, sorted, trash contamination removed, and collection amounts recorded on a bi-weekly basis. Data collected over the course of the pilot project will be used to develop best practices and determine how to scale up the program in order to expand into other state parks.
All recycled bottles and cans will be processed at a local materials recovery facility (MRF).
