~The litter in Iberville parish is becoming more and more of a problem; nature is not our trash can

~Massive amounts of parish funds are used to ensure a proper method of disposal for all items, it is our duty to utilize them

~The government is using taxpayer money to clean up litter that was created by the same taxpayers, meaning it is 100% preventable

~Learn about waste disposal areas, how to recycle, what to recycle, and more

You may not realize it, but objects thrown onto the highway will, more likely than not, make their way to local bayous, streams, and even the Mississippi River or the Gulf of Mexico. That plastic bottle you may have thrown out your window while driving probably got washed away into a storm drain, which in some cases leads directly into water ways. Ultimately, most litter finds its way to the ocean, which can be devastating.

Aquatic trash can have the following effects:

-impacts water quality(making it unsafe for consumption)

-endanger or extinct animal and plant species. It can cause them to get tangled or eat something that is unsafe and unnatural.

One of the most dangerous things for the environment is plastic rings (to hold cans and bottles together) that animals will encounter

-damage habitats and cause erosion

-spread bacteria and disease to both humans and animals

-can attract pests and invasive species

-cause damage to boats and other man made structures

Further than the environment, litter can have social effects and cause problems in the economy, recreational activities, tourism, and political influence.

To read about the effects of trash in Iberville Parish specifically, continue reading below

Given that Louisiana both borders and consist of massive bodies of water, it becomes detrimental that we are one of the most litter populated areas in the region.

I’m sure most are familiar with the nickname, “Sportsman’s Paradise,” but we fail to live up to that reputation when our waterways and hunting districts are filled with trash and pollution. This can hinder business and tourism in the area and make people less likely to visit the area again. Additionally, it can cause outside investors to lose faith in potential areas when it is evident it is not well taken care of.

As mentioned above, litter can have lasting effects on the quality of our water, which ultimately can contaminate the fish that we consume and have consequential health effects for humans. This can also interfere with local seafood businesses.

Small businesses are minor compared to the other economical changes pollution can bring. Iberville parish spends major amounts of money on cleaning up litter annually. A portion of taxes are used to clean up trash that has been put there by local residents, whether intentionally or not. This is the same money that can be better spent on other areas that are often controversial. For example, it can help fund roadwork, schools, and other government programs that you may feel are important. By choosing to securely and properly dispose of items, you can make a difference in your local government.

Here are some statistics from March of 2023 for how much Iberville parish spends on waste disposal services:

For a weekly trash can service(pick up and proper disposal), the parish spent a little under $200,000 for around 13,265 homes.

Self service garbage dumpsters (fifty two 30 cubic yd dumpsters)and recycling dumpsters(four 30 cubic yd dumpsters)were provided to Iberville parish to use. The total cost for this was slightly under $30,000.

In addition, a “Boom Truck” is offered on a weekly service basis as well. This was for larger items(173 tons)in need of disposal and costed around $9,000.

At this rate, the total cost for these services would add up to a whopping $2,868,000 per year. This does not include the cost of picking up litter or road cleanings. All of this money is spent in order to ensure a proper way of disposing items, yet so much trash ends up in our roads, woods, and ultimately our waterways.

Also, keep in mind that all of these services above are FREE to residents of Iberville parish, whereas they may cost in other parishes. I highly encourage you to utilize these wonderful resources that our government has put into place.

It doesn’t take much effort at all to properly dispose of waste, but even if it did, it is still necessary.

1. Waste disposal services. As previously mentioned, Iberville Parish provides many services for it’s residents with little to no cost. Take advantage of these services!

To visit the Iberville parish sanitation website, click on the trash can image below.

Here you can find out specific details in regards to waste pickup, as well as contact information if you have any questions or concerns. Utilize these services!

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Knowing how to properly dispose of items can be overwhelming. Many don’t understand what is recyclable or how to go about doing it, which is totally understandable. To learn more about how to recycle click the symbol below

3. Be patient with your trash. There are trash cans at every gas station, most grocery stores, and in every home. Be sure to hold on to your trash and take it with you till it can be properly disposed.

Other options include keeping a litter bag(a Walmart bag or small reusable bag) to keep trash from flying everywhere, or making your vehicle feel messy.

4. Participate in community clean up events! Many are planned with the intention of helping our environment, with little effort required. Be on the look out for these events in April (Earth Day month).

It also can’t hurt to get out there by yourself and contribute to litter control. Remember to be safe and aware at all times.

5. Talk about it! Start a conversation with your friends, family, or peers, that litter is a major problem that will have lasting environmental effects. When people hear about it, they are far less likely to do it again.

A Gold Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout can achieve at the ambassador level, which is the highest rank that can be achieved. The award is designed to encourage change within a community for a given cause. The cause should be relevant to the community and identify strongly with the girl who carries it out. The project should be sustainable and impactful. This project requires a minimum of 80 hours of service to complete and is considered a remarkable achievement.

My name is Gianna Maniscalco and I’ve lived in Iberville Parish for over 13 years. Thank you for helping me make this happen! The environment, especially our aquatic life deserve our respect and protection. I have been a Girl Scout for over 12 years and this is such a privilege to be pursuing.

One of the other aspects of my project includes the making of signs that will be placed at Iberville Parish public boat landings. These signs will provide a link to this website as a good resource for the public, and encourages better practices for disposal.

I would like to thank Remi Larson(my bestest friend ever) for designing the image that will be put on the signs, and for helping me combat this growing issue that we both care deeply about. Her design is pictured below; Be on the lookout for these signs in the near future!

I would also like to thank Jill Daigle, my project sponsor for encouraging me to strive for this award, and helping every step of the way.

And thank you to our local government, our Mayor and Parish President have been very helpful and encouraging of this project.