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The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has issued a revised chart that explains how residents who are dealing with flood debris should go about segregating their debris into six distinct waste streams. LDEQ asks that residents voluntarily follow the guidelines and separate the waste into individual piles on the curb, one for regular household garbage and waste, one for electronics, one for household hazardous waste, one for white goods, one for construction and demolition debrisand one for vegetative debris like tree limbs.

The chart explains what items fall into each category, how to stage the piles for pickup and where to put items that you are drying and don’t want picked up. LDEQ reminds residents that carpet, furniture and mattresses are not Construction and Demolition Debris and should be included in the Household Trash pile.

LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown said he appreciates the public’s cooperation in this necessary chore. “By segregating your debris into six piles, you can help speed up the cleanup process and get this debris off the streets and into a proper disposal facility. It’s going to be a long journey to get back to anything like normal in south Louisiana, but we can all help facilitate the process by doing this little extra work.”

Brown also cautioned residents about burning any debris. “It is never allowable to burn solid waste, even in areas where open burning may be allowed. This is a difficult, trying time, but everyone is rolling up their sleeves and tackling the job of cleaning up and getting rid of debris. Our federal partners and sister agencies are working with us to facilitate that goal. We all want to get through this, and we will. Let’s do it safely and do it right,” Brown said.

Parishes Bid Out Contracts for Debris Removal

FEMA doesn’t put boots or equipment on the ground for debris removal; the organization reimburses parishes for eligible debris removal activities. The impacted parishes determine the debris/trash removal schedule after bidding out and finalizing contracts.

Here's the latest for affected parishes in our district (LA Congressional District 6) - per those parishes' Offices of Emergency Preparedness:

• Ascension - Started pickup on construction items only on Aug. 23; that will be the first round of pick up, after all of that remaining items will be picked up.
• East Baton Rouge - Pickup has begun, and the contracted company is working through the Parish by zip code.
• East Feliciana - Contract bids are underway. Once finalized, removal will begin.
• Iberville - Contract is in place, but the parish has not yet activated the debris cleanup due to still-flooded areas. Once that subsides, they will begin.
• Livingston - Contract is in place and the plan is to activate cleanup today, starting in the northwest part of the parish, near Watson.
• Pointe Coupee - Contract being finalized today. Debris removal to begin Aug. 25 or Aug. 26.
• St. Helena - Contract to be finalized today. Cleanup planned to begin on Sept. 7, since many homeowners have not yet assessed damages. Parish government to issue more communications.