Hello, FilterForGoodians. The mayor’s race is gearing up here in New Orleans, and it’s sort of a big deal. The new mayor will be the city’s first since Hurricane Katrina. As you can imagine, there are a lot of people demanding a lot of things out of the candidates, including one group that’s working to bring recycling back to New Orleans.

NOLA Recycles 2010** is a coalition of concerned citizens who will work together to make recycling a reality in New Orleans in 2010. Their goal is to influence the mayoral race, and elect a mayor who will develop a comprehensive waste management program that minimizes the health and environmental impact of waste disposal, as well as taps the value of waste materials to build a local recycling economy.

Here’s The Plan

To make big changes, you need a big plan. NOLA Recycles 2010 has a six point plan of action that they’re trying to get the candidates to agree and commit to. The six points are (from site):**

1. Resume curbside recycling

My administration will commence a pilot study or issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for curbside recycling services within six months, with the goal of returning curbside recycling within one year of taking office.  Residential collection of yard waste for composting will be considered in the study or included as an alternate in the RFP.

2. Prevent illegal dumping
Illegal dumping continues spoil the quality of life in many neighborhoods, particularly in New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth ward.  My administration will work closely with the Department of Environmental Quality to continue existing programs and to implement new solutions to this long-standing problem.  I will be a visible and vocal advocate against illegal dumping and provide city staff with the support and resources they need to implement effective programs.

3. Provide safe disposal options for household hazardous waste
Under my administration, the Department of Sanitation will provide an educational program about household hazardous waste and a program for safe collection of household chemicals.

4. Require the recycling of construction and demolition waste in city projects
To build local capacity for construction and demolition debris recycling, all City of New Orleans new construction and major renovations will achieve at least 50% recycling of non-hazardous demolition and construction waste, as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED New Construction and Major Renovation standard.

5. Charge the Department of Sanitation with the promotion and expansion of recycling
The responsibilities of the Department of Sanitation must be broadened from the supervision of garbage collection to include the development of programs that will reduce waste and expand recycling in New Orleans.  Under my administration, the evaluation the Director of the Department of Sanitation will consider how he or she has worked with residents, businesses and institutions to increase our city’s overall rate of recycling.

6. Begin a recycling program and recycled products purchasing policy in City Hall

Under my administration, recycling will be available in city hall offices and guidance will be developed to encourage city offices to purchase products made with recycled materials, such as recycled paper.

I would love to see recycling come back to New Orleans in full-force. Secretly, I’ve always wanted three labeled bins in my kitchen where I would separate glass, plastic and paper. It’s definitely something I want to do, and I’m sure a lot of other people want to do as well.

Let’s hope the next mayor will commit to making this eco-dream and eco-reality.

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