Recycling returning to Abita Springs

Starting Sept. 1, residents in Abita Springs will be able to once again participate in a townwide recycling program.

Like many other municipalities, the town of Abita Springs stopped curbside recycling after Hurricane Katrina. However, at the request of several town residents, the Board of Aldermen recently decided to reinstate the practice.

The service will not be free, and not everyone has to participate. But everyone does have to pay. Starting in September, garbage rates will increase from $16 to $19.50.

Alderman Patricia Edmiston said $2.50 of the increase will go toward the recycling, and the other dollar represents the normal annual increase according to the contract the town has with its waste hauler, Coastal Waste Services.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the recycling program must request a bin from Town Hall and must place the recyclables in that bin when putting out their garbage for pick up. Residents will not be required to sort their recyclables, and if the bin is full, items can be placed in a bag on top on the bin, as long as it is obvious.

Coastal Waste will be picking up the following recyclables: aluminum, paper, tin and plastics numbered one, two and three. It will not be recycle cardboard or glass.

Mark Fridge with Coastal Waste said cardboard is not a normal household recyclable because it usually contains food residue, and glass is too costly and too dangerous for workers to sort.

Edmiston said she, along with the other aldermen and town workers, has been inundated with requests to resume curbside recycling, and she was told before Katrina 80 percent of the residents in Abita Springs recycled, indicating that the service is needed and wanted in the town.