Feature
August
05
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
by Terry Trahan, Jr.
The Terrebonne Garden Club made going green a priority over the past year, and the club’s 71 members now have something to brag about.
National Garden Clubs Inc. recently awarded the Terrebonne Garden Club with the first-place prize in its Litter/Recycling/Reclamation category, which includes a $100 check. The national recognition follows a pledge that the members took to promote recycling in the community.
Linda Brashier, the club’s recycling and anti-litter chairman, says Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet spoke to the club about the benefits of recycling and urged them to utilize the recycling bins strategically placed around the parish to stimulate their effort.
“They’ve increased the number of recycling bins,” says Sherri Labbe, the club’s president. “Every time I go to the one on St. Charles, it’s full. You have to cram it in there.”
The club understands that finding practical green solutions pays off as well.
“We had a fundraiser where we sold plastic baskets with the Garden Club emblem,” Sherri says.
The members continue to sell the baskets, along with reusable shopping bags, at Ganier’s Southdown Gardens. As congested landfills overflow with trash that easily can be converted into eco-friendly treasures, the club’s recycling campaign spreads the word that an alternative exists for empty cans and bottles.
In 2009, Houma won the Cleanest City Contest, sponsored by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc. The contest promotes anti-litter programs and civic pride, which represent the club’s mission.
“This all came about after the hurricanes,” Sherri says. “With so much damage, the community was actively involved in cleaning up. It fell at a good time.”
President Claudet has also issued a proclamation stating that Houma would participate in America Recycles Day, held on Nov. 15 each year to promote the use and purchase of recycled products. The club added the proclamation to the list of accomplishments outlined in their “book of evidence” submitted for the award.
“That’s the one we’re most excited about,” Sherri says about the national award. The club’s recycling project placed at the Deep South regional level as well.
Despite the success and recognition, their effort doesn’t end with recycling.
Beautification remains the club’s primary mission, whether it’s recycling household products or educating community members on how to make the parish a more beautiful place.
The club hosts an annual flower show at the Terrebonne Parish Library and visits local nursing homes to deliver daffodils and “mugs of sunshine,” coffee mugs that hold flowers inside. Members plant trees on Arbor Day and educate students at Mulberry Elementary School on the benefits of recycling, among other local activities.
“We really want to make the parish shine,” Linda says.
Recycling Guide
PAPER
junk mail, coupons, white or colored paper, gift wrap, envelopes, paper grocery bags, shopping bags (remove handles), catalogs, magazines, newspapers and inserts (remove rubber bands and plastic bags, do not tie up newspapers), paperback books, telephone books and shredded paper
PLASTIC
plastic with #1 through #7 inside the triangular-shaped recycling symbol, beverage bottles, food containers (empty and rinse), detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, prescription bottles, baby wipe containers, household cleaner and bleach bottles (empty and rinse), flower pots, buckets (5-gallon or less, remove metal handles)
METAL
aluminum, tin and metal alloy beverage, food and pet food cans, metal lids (empty and rinse)
CARDBOARD
flatten corrugated boxes and paperboard boxes, 6, 12 and 24-pack drink cartons (flattened), paper egg cartons and shoe boxes
CARTONS
juice, milk and cream cartons (empty and rinse), cereal and cracker boxes
ABSOLUTELY NO
glass, plastic bags, household garbage, yard trimmings or woody waste, building materials, automobile, trailer or bike tires, household or hazardous waste (electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals, oil or oil filters), soiled papers (diapers, tissues, paper towels, paper plates, napkins or pizza boxes)
