Funds awarded in Louisiana for household hazardous waste collection

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality recently awarded $251,894 in Beneficial Environmental Projects funds to seven different entities for household hazardous material collections and the removal of school lab waste.

DEQ, in conjunction with the Louisiana Municipal Association and Police Jury Association of Louisiana, solicited proposals from parish governments, municipalities, school boards, military bases and partnerships. The materials that are targeted are household hazardous materials and school lab wastes. The proposals were evaluated based on project goals, environmental implementation plan, safety plan, partners and sustainability. A 25 percent in-kind or cash match is required for each successful project.

The projects selected this year are: Shreveport Green, $34,475 to establish a HHM collection program for DeSoto Parish and removal of school lab waste in DeSoto and Webster parishes; Lincoln Parish Police Jury, $40,100 for establishment of a permanent HHM collection facility and removal of school lab waste in Lincoln and Union parishes; Lafourche Parish Government, $28,726 for a one-day collection of HHM from Lafourche Parish; Capital Area Corporate Recycling, Baton Rouge, $16,000 to expand electronic waste collections to eight additional events; Keep Ouachita Beautiful, $52,593 for a one time HHM collection and removal of school lab waste; Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs, $38,000 to expand existing HHM program to include mercury, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides and organic materials; and Keep CENLA Beautiful, $42,000 to establish HHM collection for Grant Parish and remove school lab waste in LaSalle and Grant parishes.

The successful projects enter into a cooperative agreement with DEQ and reports on the progress of the projects are due quarterly. Payments are made based on the milestones accomplished and reported in those reports.