JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A heads up for Jefferson parish residents - a new company will soon be picking up your recycling. Wednesday, the parish council contemplated whether or not to continue recycling.
Continuing to recycle would result in a $4-$8 fee for residents, so some councilmembers argued it's not worth it.
"We have a situation and a program that doesn’t work very well and it’s kind of broken. It’s not just broken here, it’s broken in numerous cities across the country," Council member at large, Scott Walker said. "It is another fee and I am against outing another fee on our public right now when everything else is going to go up in 2024."
Jefferson parish residents will already have to pay increasing utility fees starting in January. Plus, Walker says, only about 30% of residents actually recycle. The resolution ultimately passed, but the new company, Ramelli Waste, says they will work to find innovative ways to increase participation.
"We’re going to try to educate them about what recycling actually does for the environment and I think with a little more education people might start participating much more." Robert Ramelli, owner of Ramelli Waste, said.
Plus, he says the company will work to educate people on what can and can not be recycled. Ramelli says they can start as soon as the parish would like them to and they will be supplying residents with new recycling bins that will have a lid.
The fee for recycling has not yet been finalized, as they still need to complete negotiations.
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