Lafayette Reporter

Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG)’s Public Works Department’s Environmental Quality Division, in collaboration with Acadiana Waste Services (AWS), is launching a new Recycling Tag Program aimed at enhancing recycling practices across Lafayette. This initiative seeks to address contamination issues and ensure that recycling efforts contribute effectively to environmental sustainability.

Starting this month, residents whose recycling carts contain unacceptable items will receive a warning tag. The first warning will inform residents of the contamination and provide guidance on correct recycling practices. If a recycling cart is found to be contaminated a second time, another warning will be issued. After a third violation, the recycling cart will be removed from the property.

Acceptable Recycling Materials:

- Cans: Aluminum beverage cans, steel, and tin cans (emptied and rinsed)

- Paper: Mixed paper, newspaper, magazines, cardboard (dry)

- Plastic Containers: Plastic bottles and jugs (emptied and rinsed)

Unacceptable Items:

- Do not bag recyclables

- No garbage

- No plastic bags

- No food or liquids

- No tanglers (wires, hoses, chains, cords)

- No clothing or toys

- No glass

- No bulky plastics (furniture, buckets, crates, storage containers)

- No shredded paper

- No styrofoam (foam cups, plates, egg cartons, trays)

- No scrap metal

- No yard waste

- No electronics

Lafayette’s recycling program began in 1990 and now serves nearly 23,000 residents. With approximately 533 tons of recycling collected annually, the goal of the Recycling Tag Program is to educate residents about proper recycling practices and reduce contamination in the recycling stream. Proper sorting of recyclables ensures that materials can be effectively processed and recycled, ultimately benefiting the environment and community.

For more information on recycling guidelines and curbside service:

Visit lafayettela.gov/recycling

Call 337-291-5637

Email recycling@lafayettela.gov