BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor and Contributing Writer
Feature Photography: Volunteers mix paint collected May 21 at the Opelousas Recycling Center during the annual hazardous waste day sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
The St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission-sponsored household hazardous waste collection event in Opelousas and Eunice May 21 diverted 12.52 tons of material from the solid waste landfill, according to a compiled SWC report provided to St. Landry Now.
SWC officials who hosted the 14th annual collection day at recycling centers in both cities, indicate that 180 vehicles participated in the four-hour event, with 157 of those dropping off potentially hazardous material at the Opelousas site.
Over 50 volunteers that included professional waste handlers, SWC employees and parish students assisted in collecting items that were delivered to the recycling centers.
Among the items obtained for safe disposal and possible reuse were tires, batteries, paint and electronics, SWC officials said.
A breakdown of the materials collected include: electronics (139), batteries (54), tires (100), oil (39 gallons) and latex paint (220 gallons).
Also providing help for the event were members of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department, 4-H Club members, Colt tires and Clean Earth.
