Photograph: St. Landry Parish Landfill Executive Director Richard LeBouef speaks to newly-appointed chairman Peter Olivier during a Monday meeting. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The annual household hazardous waste collection day sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission for 14 straight years appears destined for continuation — at least for now.
Before voting to proceed with the event again in 2023, commissioners during a regular monthly meeting held on Monday, discussed the possibility of dropping the collection day held annually at recycling centers in Opelousas and Eunice.
At this point it appears as though the hazardous waste day will be hosted next year in both Eunice and Opelousas.
However commissioners who discussed the matter at the meeting on Monday debated whether it is worth the cost of scheduling any more collections beyond 2023 at the center in Eunice.
During the 2022 hazardous waste day held May 21 at both recycling centers, 12.52 tons of potentially hazardous material was diverted from the solid waste landfill.
According to figures compiled by the Solid Waste Landfill on May 31, 180 vehicles brought material for disposal at the hazardous waste event, but only 23 vehicles brought hazardous material to the Eunice recycling center.
Commissioner Kathy Moreau questioned the need for cancelling the hazardous waste day beyond 2023.
“What are you going to do with all that paint that has been kept in someone’s garage? If we don’t have hazardous waste day then all of that paint is going to go into the landfill,” Moreau said.
Landfill Executive Director Richard LeBouef said he is looking at whether it is worth spending $10,000 or $12,000 to use the Eunice recycling center as well as the expenses in Opelousas for drop off points for hazardous material.
LeBouef suggested if the Commission wants to continue funding the hazardous waste day then maybe only the Opelousas recycling center should be used.
Commissioner Jerry Domengeaux described the Commission-supported hazardous waste day as a “noble effort.” Domengeaux added that costs for hosting the hazardous waste day are increasing each year.
“It’s getting to where maybe we should think about whether the cost is worth it,” Domengeaux said.
Peter Olivier, named Commission chairman on Monday, said after the meeting that he would not vote to halt the hazardous waste event.
