Morgan City gets new recycling dumpsters in time for Earth Day

Morgan City is trying to do its part in creating a healthy, sustainable environment by providing recycling collection dumpsters, thanks to a group of Central Catholic High School students.

Central Catholic students Jesse Fontenot, Beau Bordelon, Ethan Whittington, Hallie Autin and Rebecca David participated in the Rotary Club’s New Generation forum and introduced a project that included recycling.

Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi took notice.

Friday marks the 46th year Earth Day is being commemorated as a movement. The first earth day was April 22, 1970.

It is credited with igniting actions across the world focused on building healthy, sustainable environments, addressing climate change and protecting the earth for future generations, according to the earthday.org website.

“For years, Morgan City took part in a recycling effort that was basically Center of Hope’s fundraiser,” Grizzaffi said. “They have different bins across the parish.

“As they overflowed, we brought them to Centerville … but that eventually became an eyesore.”

Grizzaffi contacted Progressive Waste Solutions to see if a recycling program was possible in the city. Progressive agreed to do it.

“They’re going to provide the city with dumpsters,” Grizzaffi said. “One is already in place on the corner of Fourth and Florida streets under the bridge.”

A total of three dumpsters are planned to be stationed around the city. The two other prospective drop-off locations under consideration are in the Lakeside area and near Morgan City High.

Materials that can go in the dumpster are: paper, cardboard, beverage containers, plastics Nos. 1-7, aluminum, tin and steel. Progressive will maintain the dumpsters.

“It helps save our landfill by encouraging more recycling from our community,” Grizzaffi said.

Overall, Louisiana ranks No. 44 of 50 states by WalletHub as a greenest state in the U.S.

WalletHub analyzed the 50 states based on the three dimensions: environmental quality, eco-friendly behaviors and climate change contributions.

Louisiana ranked in environmental quality at 45; eco-friendly behaviors at 50; and climate change contributions at 37.

The state has the lowest percentage of recycled municipal solid waste ranked at 50. And listed at 46, Louisiana has the lowest percentage of energy consumption from renewable sources.