City of Lake Charles, Louisiana
Recycle! Lake Charles
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At Work
Recycling is now available for businesses in the City of Lake Charles. For more information on what can be recycled and how to get your businesses started on recycling, please call the Department of Public Works Administration at (337) 491-1220.
At School
It's easy for schools in the City of Lake Charles to recycle paper. For more information on how your school can recycle, please call the Department of Public Works Administration at (337) 491-1220.
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Tires will not be picked up with your regular trash pick-up. Tires were banned from landfills in 1992, which is why the Solid Waste Division will not pick them up at your residence. There are two drop-off locations to properly dispose of tires. There is no charge at either site. The tire drop-off program is sponsored by the Calcasieu Parish Public Works Division
Tire Drop Off Sites
1. East Maintenance Facility at 5540 Swift Plant Road
Monday -Thursday, 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
2. West Maintenance Facility at 2915 Post Oak Road, Sulphur
Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Tires can be disposed of for free. However, there is a limit of 5 tires per load.
- Only passenger tires are acceptable.
- Tires on-the-rim are not accepted at either location.
- For further details or to ask any questions, call Parish Public Works East Maintenance Facility at 437-3650, 721-3650.
- There is also a tire processing/recycling company, Colt, Inc. They are located in Scott, LA at 1223 Delhomme Avenue (hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) For further information or any questions, call 1-800-259-8311.
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Other locations around town also accept used oil, batteries, and antifreeze (see the chart below for the locations and specifications).
- Oil and antifreeze must be kept free of other fluids. Aaron Oil Co. also collects drums of oil for a fee. Call 1-800-486-3105.
- It's always a good idea to call the location listed before stopping by.
- Quantities listed represent the maximum amount accepted.
- No automotive fluids should be mixed because it causes a problem for disposal.
USED OIL, ANTIFREEZE AND BATTERIES
| Company | Phone | Oil | Antifreeze | Batteries |
| Advanced Auto Parts 1101 Gerstner Memorial | 436-0799 | 5 gal. | No | No |
| Advanced Auto Parts 2119 Ryan Street | 436-2929 | 5 gal. & up | No | No |
| Advanced Auto Parts 3904 Ryan Street | 474-6021 | 4 gal. | No | No refund |
| Auto Zone 1300 E. Prien Lake Road | 474-5755 | 20 qts. | No | Yes (1 per person) |
| Auto Zone 2550 Medora Street | 494-0511 | No limit | No | Yes (If purchased here) |
| Firestone 3465 Ryan Street | 478-9084 | Yes (1 gal.) | No | No |
| Jiffy Lube 1201 Highway 14 | 439-6680 | 5 gal. | No | No |
| Jiffy Lube 130 W. Prien Lake Road | 477-2767 | No limit | No | No |
| Jiffy Lube 3503 Gerstner Memorial Drive | 474-3625 | 5 gal. | No | No |
| One Stop Lube & Auto Glass 444 E. Prien Lake Road | 477-3330 | 15-20 gal. | No | No |
| O'Reilly's Auto Parts 1400 E. Prien Lake Road | 477-0665 | 5 gal. | No | Yes (no core) |
| Precision Tune 3224 Ryan Street | 436-2128 | 5 gal. | No | No |
| Wal-Mart 3451 Nelson Road | 474-2696 | 15 gal. | No | Yes |
| Wal-Mart 2500 Old Hwy 171 | 436-2404 | 5 gal. a day | No | Yes (1 per person) |
| Wal-Mart 3415 Hwy 14 E | 477-0360 | 5 gal. a day | No | Yes |
| Wholesale Battery Co, Inc 1608 Broad Sreet | 433-1794 | No | No | Yes |
Where quantities are noted, they represent the maximum amount accepted. *This list is not all-inclusive. Other locations may exist.
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Several locations around town accept rechargeable batteries (examples: batteries for cell phones, power tools, and wireless phones). We also accept at the Team Green Truck sites.
See the listing below for locations and contact information. Call ahead to find out what types of batteries they accept. Single- use batteries cannot be recycled.
RADIOSHACK
Prien Lake Mall
477-4063
RADIOSHACK
2669 Derek Drive
562-2709
See Section - "oil, automotive batteries, antifreeze, & gasoline" for car batteries
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Computers, monitors, keyboards, and printers will be accepted by the Calcasieu Parish School Board. These computers will be given to various schools throughout the parish. However, only Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, and MAC will be accepted. Contact the following for further details:
1) The Career and Technical Education Department, at 491-1737 for more details.
2) LCB Academy of Learning, Andrea Guillory at 217-4370 ext. 5322.
Call ahead to make sure equipment is acceptable.
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Look in your telephone directory Yellow Pages under the heading Gas - Propane for your interest propane retailer.
Please call regarding acceptance of USED PROPANE CYLINDERS and possible disposal fee.
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Recently, City Employees have noticed grease built in the sewer main. This problem has been corrected. However, slow drainage or even back-ups, may have been noticeable. As a public service to help prevent future inconvenience to you and your neighbors, the city asks you to remember these facts about grease and simple guidelines for taking care of our sewer:
1. Grease comes from butter, lard, vegetable fats and oils, and meat.
2. Fats and grease coat, congeal and accuulate on pipes, pumps and equipment and can obstruct lines.
3. Scrape used oil and grease into container for disposal and thereby into the sewer.
4. Avoid placing fat trimmings in the garbage disposal and thereby into the sewer.
5. Be aware that by pouring grease (hot or cold) into the sewer you (may) be in violation of the City's Sewer Ordinace.
By working together to eliminate grease and fats in our sewer we can reduce or eliminate sewer overflows and backups into homes, business, and streets.
For the following sewer complaints call 491-1224 on Monday-Friday, 6:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. After hours and on weekends call 491-1414:
Stopped up sewer line Cave-in/hole in yard or street
Sewer Leak Sewer odor
Broken sewer line Locate sewer lines
Manhole cover off/broken
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To find out about recycling large quanities of waste motor oil, gasoline or other automotive fluids, contact U.S. Sirmens Hydrocarbons Service at 1-800-960-6377 or Aaron Oil Company at 1-800-486-3105.
You can dispose of the following materials in quantities of 35 gallons or greater for a fee:
- Waste motor oil
- Oily Water
- Antifreeze
- Other waste automotive fluids
- Clean and contaminated gasoline
- Clean and contaminated diesel fuel
In some cases, material may need to be tested before they are collected. Some of the materials on the list may not be ready for disposal until after several weeks.
Prices vary depending on product and amount, so call for information on charges and to schedule pickups.
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The City of Lake Charles, Solid Waste Division does not pick up any contruction debris, with the regualar trash pick-up. If any construction debris is out during the time of pickup, it will be tagged, stating the reasons why it was not picked up. To properly dispose of any construction debris, contact any of the sites that are listed below:
The sites that accept construction debris for a fee are:
Allied Waste Chaney Wood Waste Disposal
16547 Landfill Road, Welsh 1662 Joe Miller Road
(337) 734-4135 (337) 855-6496
Tomassi
7124 Corbina Road
(337) 478-9799
Always call ahead before going to any of the sites above.
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Residents in the City of Lake Charles that need to have an appliance picked up at your home, please wait until the day before you are scheduled, then call Public Works Administration. In most cases it would be helpful to also call the day of, just as a reminder. Put the appliance out in front of your house. Smaller appliances such as microwaves, blenders and toasters cannot be recycled- dispose of them with your trash.
Several locations will purchase metal scraps. Mostly metals with a higher value such as aluminum, brass, copper and stainless steel. Some of the businesses below may purchase other lesser-valued scrap metal. Call ahead to see if your scrap has a dollar value.
Cal-Cam Recycling, Inc. Southern Scrap Recycling
1225 N. 1st Avenue 901 N. 1st Avenue
(337) 439-5475 (337) 430-4600
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Commerical establishments, institutions, and all other non-residential structures are required to contact Waste Management or BFI for garbage and trash pick-up service.
Allied Waste Waste Management
(337) 734-4135 (337) 436-7229
BFI (Sulphur)
(337) 882-1477
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Single family homes, duplexes, and triplexes in the City of Lake Charles have curbside collection once a week:
- Place containers on neutral ground or within the premises immediately adjacent to the street the night before or by 7 a.m. the day of collection.
- Place containers within two feet of curb or edge of street in front of residence.
- No container should be placed on the sidewalk.
- Container must not be more than 96 gallons.
- Place all garbage into bags inside the containers so the lightweight items don't fly away.
- Please keep the lids or covers for all containers secure to reduce access to the contents from insects and other scavengers.
- Containers must be removed from collection points within 12 hours after collection.
To learn more about the curbside garbage collection or to see a map of collection areas by day please visit City of Lake Charles website at http://www.cityoflakecharles.com and click on the Department of Public Works-Solid Waste Division link. For any questions, comments, or concerns about curbside garbage collection, please contact the Department of Public Works Help-Line at 491-1220.
Large, Bulky Items
Sofas, chairs, and mattresses are "bulky items," which are picked up on your regular garbage day by SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT- once per week in the City of Lake Charles. Other large items that do not fit into your garbage can will be picked up by SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT if they are properly prepared and packaged. For example, anything that is either bagged or boxed. The limbs must not exeed four feet in length, should not exeed 4" and must not weight over 50 pounds. The specifications for all large bulky items are listed below:
- Sofas and chairs will be picked up no matter their weight.
- Excluding sofas, chairs and televisions, no single item can weigh more than 50 pounds.
- All items must be less than six feet in length.
- Small, loose items must be bagged or otherwise placed in a container, and must conform to the weight and length requirements above.
- Televisions cannot be recycled; they must be disposed of with your trash.
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Call the Environmental Quality Division to schedule anything below.
Phone: (337) 491-1440.
What You Can Do-Hands On
- Adopt-a-spot: The City of Lake Charles and Team Green SWLA sponsor "Adopt-a-spot" twice a year, once in March and once in October. At the time groups collect litter fom the roadways of the city. In March 2005, 27 groups collected trash. For futher details please see the Team Green calendar for exact dates or contact Team Green at (337) 491-1440.
- Adopt-a-Road: Calcasieu Parish sponsors "Adopt-a-Road. Groups, parish wide, may sponsor a road and collect litter. For further information or to recieve an information packet, please contact Kathy at 721-3720.
- Beach Sweep: The City of Lake Charles and Team Green SWLA sponsor "Beach Sweep", an international event, on the third Saturday morning in September. Groups collect litter from the region's coast and inland waterways. In September 2004, in Calcasieu Parish, over 480 volunteers collected 380 bags of trash from 41 miles of waterway. Please call (337) 491-1440 for futher details and upcoming dates.
- Trash Bash: The City of Lake Charle and Team Green SWLA sponsors "Trash Bash" in mid-April of each year at the south parking lot of the Lake Charles Civic Center, located at 900 Lakeshore Drive.
Items accepted include: scrap metal, oil and antifreeze, computer and other electronic devices, paint,batteries, miscellaneous trash and reusable items such as clothing and furniture.
Household hazardous wastes are not accepted unless specifically noted.
In 2005, over 600 cars contributed 977 tires, 200 automotives batteries, 1,450 gallons of paint, 775 gallons of used oil, 32 tons of scrap metal, 50 tons of miscellaneuos waste, and 10,000 electronic devices.
For more information or to volunteer please call Team Green SWLA at (337) 491-1440.
- Storm Drain Stenciling: The City of Lake Charles and Team Green SWLA are initiating a storm drain stenciling project parishwide, to help protect the lakes and rivers. The is an on going project and has no specific date or time. It can be adapted by any civil group or organization. For further details and information, contact Marcia Jones at (337) 540-7000 or email at mjbjones3@cox.net.
Education Presentation
The Department of Public Works offers environmental presentations for students of all ages in the classroom, as well as civic, scouts or church groups. Any organization desiring to increase their knowledge and understanding of the topics listed below should call to schedule a presentation:
- Recycling
- Litter reduction
- Local water quality and pollution
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Please visit the City of Lake Charles Department of Public Works website at http://www.cityoflakecharles.com and click on the following links for more information.
Administration
View our mission statement and read a brief overview of the entire division.
Code Enforcements
Learn about local environmental codes and garbage collection as well as frequently asked questions.
Regulatory Compliance
Learn more about state and federal environmental requirements for local government and water quality education opportunities.
Recycling
Learn about local recycling programs, educational opportunities and brief history of recycling in Lake Charles.
Citizens' Guide to Understanding Stormwater
Learn about local storm water quality and how each citizen can participate in improving the environment of the City of Lake Charles.
Environmental Education and Outreach
View educational and tour opportunities as well as programs where everyone can participate in improving the environment of the City of Lake Charles.
Curbside Collect Maps
Type in your address to see when curbside garbage, yard waste, white goods, appliances, and recycling collection is in your area. Also view a map of recycling drop-off points in City of Lake Charles.
Thank you for your participation in all of our programs and everyone's efforts in improving the environment and quality of life for all City of Lake Charles residents.
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To help provide a better environment and quality of life for all citizens, the City of Lake Charles has instituted local ordinances concerning such issues as those listed below:
- Tall grass
- Construction debris
- Junked items and machinery
- Litter and trash
- Noxious smoke and fumes
- Illegal dumping and waste disposal
- Open burning
- Rodent infestation
- Miscellaneous and other public nuisances
To find out more information or to report a potential violation, please contact the Department of Public Works at (337) 491-1220. Thank you for your assistance in keeping Lake Charles a clean and beautiful place to live.
Stormwater Quality Pollution Sources
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a stormwater system that leads directly to local waterways including the Lake Charles River. Anything that enters a stormwater system is discharged untreated into the waterways we could use for water activities including boating, fishing and swimming. If you observe any of the following activities and wish to report them, please contact the Department of Public Works.
Potential Stormwater Quality Pollution Sources:
- Chemical spills
- Improperly dumped or disposed of hazardous wastes
- Improperly treated sewage flowing into a ditch or coulee
- Sediment-laden stormwater flowing from an active construction site
- Suspicious liquids flowing into a ditch, coulee or bayou from an outfall pipe
- Illegal dumping of chemicals into storm drains or gutters
To find out more information on what each citizen can do to improve local water quality, please contace the Department of Public Works at (337) 491-1220. Thank you for your efforts in protecting Lake Charles' valuable water resources.
No problem is too large or too small.
For any disposal need not addressed in this publication, call the City of Lake Charles Public Works Administration Office at (337) 491-1220.
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4332 East Broad Street
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The City of Lake Charles is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Wood Waste Processing Facilty/Incinerator. Mister Edwards, Director of Public Works stated that items accepted at the Incinerator are controlled and regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Incinerator is considered to be a Wood Waste Processing Facility: therefore all material must be wood combustible. The hours of operation are as follows.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday and Saturday 8:00 a.m.-12 (noon)
The incinerator accepts items from residents. Unacceptable items will not be allowed at the facility. The attendant will inform the residents of the appropriate site to dispose of their items.
| Accetable Items | Unacceptable Items |
| Vines | Garbage Carpet |
| Tree Limbs | Sheetrock Insulation |
| Bamboo | Concrete Metals |
| Paper Products | Styrofoam Rubber Products |
| Unpainted/Unstainted lumber | Clothing Mattresses |
| Pallets | Plastics Glass |
| Grass cutting, leaves, and Pine needles | Appliances Roofing material |
| *Cutting must be bagged or boxes | Painted or stained wood |
| | Animal or vegetable waste |
| | Hazardous waste material |
Limited amounts of boxed paper product will be accepted on a daily basis. Anyone wishing to burn these types of products should call the Incinerator at (337) 491-1399 and will be given a time to dispose of these products.
| Wood Waste Facility Pit Burner Fees Incinerator (337) 491-1399 City residents can bring tree and tree trimming up to 18 inches in diameter, boxed paper and unpainted or unstained wood products at no charge. All business or contractor vehicles entering the pit burner will be charged $3.50 per yard. The width X and the lenght X the height divided by 27 is the formula used to calculate the yards. Boxed paper/Boxed record will have a charge of $5.00/a box Box measurement is 24" x 18" or less An appointment is necessary for over 30 boxes or confidential files. |
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| Product | Safe Storage Steps |
| Thermometers Silver liquid in tube | Place in: 1. Hard plastic case or bubble wrap 2. Zip-top bag or other air-tight container |
| Thermostats All non-electronic | Entire device into: 1. Hard plastic air-tight container OR 2.Bubble wrap and zip-top bag |
| Lamps Fluorescent, hig intensity discharge (HID), noen, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium and metal halide | Unbroken bulbs into: 1. Boxes that the new bulbs came in OR 2. Bubble wrap and zip-top bag (if small) |
| Old Alkaline Batteries Bought before check ion date | Safe to handle if not leaking place in: 1. Zip-top bag OR 2. Air-tight container |
| Chemistry Set May contain mercury compounds | All containers: 1. Seal lids tight 2. Hard plastic case or bubble wrap 3. Zip-top bag or other air-tight container |
| Vials or Jars of Mercury, Sometimes on Necklaces Small containers of mercury used for ceremonial purposes. May be found in basemets or garages. | Unopened, unbroken containers: 1. Bubble wrap 2. Zip-top bag or other air-tight containers |
Team Green of SWLA and the City of Lake Charles Wastewater Division is pleased to announce the opening of a Residential Mercury Collection Site!
Household items shown on the chart above are accepted for proper disposal and recycling at the Wastewater Division, located at 1132 West 18th Street, in Lake Charles.
Every Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Remember to store items in a safe manner to limit opportunities for breakage (many of these items, when broken, release mercury vapor into the air).
The items on this list should NEVER be placed in your household garbage, as they present dangers to your family, sanitation workers and the environment.
If you have any question, please Contact Wastewater Pretreatment.
Phone: (337) 491-1450 OR (337) 491-9185
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