More on Recycling

• Electronic Recycling
• Buy Recycled Initiative
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Recycling Tours
• Mobile Recycling
• Christmas Tree Recycling
• Telephone Book Recycling
• Getting Involved
• Material(s) on Recycling
• Wipe Out Wireless Waste

Recycling

Recycling is the responsible way to deal with waste. The cycle of recycling includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers, and manufacturing raw materials into new products.

In cooperation with the City of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, Shreveport Green leads the way in recycling education and community outreach for Shreveport and the parish. Community outreach includes Household Hazardous Waste collections, educational recycling presentations, and specific recycling collections.

What/Where Can I Recycle in Shreveport?

Pratt Industries is located out at the Port of Shreveport-Bossier and is responsible for the curbside collection of recyclables from residences within the City of Shreveport. Collection days coincide with garbage pickup days, so for instance, if your garbage is picked up on Mondays, your recyclables will be picked up then also. Since the trucks on the recycling routes are automated, it is important to place your recycling cart so the lid opens toward the street. It should also be placed so it is at least 3 feet from any obstruction such as mailboxes, parked vehicles, or power lines.

If you have questions about your recycling pickup, please call 1 (888) 347-7288. They will handle all of your collection questions!

The Just Curb It! Program makes recycling easy for everyone! It is called single-stream curbside collection because everything goes into one cart without the need to separate. There are some easy rules to follow, however:

• Do not overfill the carts. (Flatten all cardboard boxes so that the lid closes securely.)
• Do not use plastic or paper bags to separate your recyclables.
• There must be three feet of space on either side of the recycling cart.
• Recyclable materials placed outside the cart will not be collected.
• Place your cart on the curb the night before because the trucks sometimes come really early!

What can I put in my blue cart?

YES

• Newspaper
• Corrugated Boxes
• Cardboard
• Magazines
• Office Paper
• Telephone Books
• Shopping Catalogs
• Aluminum Cans
• Steel Canns
• Plastic Drink Bottles
• Plastic Milk Jugs
• Washing Detergent Bottles
• Glass Bottles
• Mail
• Shredded Paper

NO

• Food Waste
• Yard Waste
• Furniture
• Appliances
• Tires
• Toys
• Automobile Parts
• Garden Hoses
• Paint Buckets
• Batteries
• Construction Materials
• Aerosol Spray Cans
• Wood
• Bricks
• Rocks
• Dirt

The Regional Recycling Facility/Buyback Center on St. Vincent Avenue has been closed. There are several companies around town that accept metal recyclables for cash. Check the telephone book under “metals” for these. Information on additional collections and business collections should check with Pratt (1 888.347.7288).

Fun Facts About Recycling

• Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water!
• Americans use more than 67 million tons of paper per year, or about 580 tons per person.
• Paper products make up the largest part (40%) of our trash.
• In 1999, recycling and composting activities prevented about 64 million tons of material from ending up in landfills and incinerators. Today, this country recycles 28 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years. While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 42 percent of all paper, 40 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 55 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 57 percent of all steel packaging, and 52 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.

Why Recycle - Five Good Reasons

1. Recycling conserves our valuable natural resources.
2. Recycling saves energy.
3. Recycling saves clean air and clean water.
4. Recycling saves landfill space.
5. Recycling can save money and create jobs.