By Leonard Gray / L’Observateur / March 21, 1998

VACHERIE – St. James Parish is the second-best among Louisiana parishesin percentage of waste reduction, according to the annual recycling report issued Wednesday by the Parish Council.

During 1997, the report states, 6,830 tons were sent to landfills, at a cost of $133.19 per ton. That’s a 37 percent reduction from the baselinevolume of 10,816 tons during 1989, according to Director of Operations Jody Chenier.

“Most parishes have about 10 percent,” Chenier added.

An average of 172 pounds of household trash was recycled, the report continued. “Our citizen participation remains relatively high due tocontinual promotions and the implementation of a simple collection system.”The curbside pickups, handled by Waste Management of Louisiana Inc.,accounted for 36.7 tons of glass, 66.1 tons of plastic, 2.4 tons ofaluminum, 17.1 tons of steel cans and 148.3 tons of newsprint.Additionally, the parish operates a collection site – open seven days a week – for collection of scrap metals, tires, green waste and white goods, free of charge.

Southern Scrap Co. accounted for 143.7 tons of recycled white goods(including large appliances). Southeast Recycling Corp. accounted for 5.4tons of recycled white paper. Environmental Industries Recyclingaccounted for 2,315 tires.

From the town of Gramercy’s 931 residential units, total waste cost was $136,837 and total cost for curbside recycling, at $1.92 per month, was$21,450.24.From the town of Lutcher’s 1,197 residential units, total waste cost was $175,959 and total cost for curbside recycling was $27,578.88.From the non-municipal area of St. James Parish’s 4,235 residential units,total waste cost was $743,484 and total cost for curbside recycling was $97,574.40.Total tons recycled from curbside was 270.6 tons. Total tons recycledparishwide was 422.2 tons. Total recycling cost parishwide was$146,603.52. Total cost per ton was $347.24.

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