Recycling Centers in Louisiana: 148 Locations

Recycling in Louisiana

Louisiana has 148 recycling centers serving 70 cities and parishes across the Pelican State. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), under Secretary Courtney J. Burdette, is the state agency responsible for solid waste management and recycling program oversight. LDEQ administers recycling policy under La. R.S. 30:2411–2423, the Louisiana Solid Waste Recycling and Reduction Law, and submits an annual recycling report to the Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality. Louisiana does not have a bottle deposit (container redemption) law, and there is no statewide mandatory recycling requirement.

Recycling centers in Louisiana are concentrated in the state's larger urban and suburban areas. Baton Rouge leads with 12 centers, followed by New Orleans (9 centers), Lafayette (8 centers), Houma (6 centers), Lake Charles (6 centers), Metairie (5 centers), Hammond (5 centers), and New Iberia (4 centers). The Greater New Orleans area — including New Orleans, Metairie, and surrounding Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes — collectively represents one of the largest clusters of recycling access in the Gulf South.

Louisiana's recycling infrastructure varies significantly across its 64 parishes. Urban areas like New Orleans and Baton Rouge generally offer curbside recycling collection for residents, while rural parishes may rely on drop-off sites or periodic collection events. LDEQ gathers annual recycling data from cities and parishes and tracks diversion progress toward the goals set by state law. LDEQ also administers Recycling Tax Credits — taxpaying entities that purchase qualified new recycling manufacturing or processing equipment may be eligible for a state tax credit. Louisiana received federal Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen local recycling systems. Neighboring states with additional recycling resources include Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Top Cities by Number of Centers

Baton Rouge 12 New Orleans 9 Lafayette 8 Houma 6 Lake Charles 6 Hammond 5 Metairie 5 New Iberia 4

All Cities in Louisiana

Abbeville 1 center Alexandria 3 centers Amite City 1 center Bastrop 2 centers Baton Rouge 12 centers Bogalusa 1 center Bossier City 1 center Bourg 1 center Chalmette 2 centers Coushatta 1 center Covington 2 centers Crowley 1 center Crowville 1 center Denham Springs 3 centers Deridder 1 center Eunice 2 centers Farmerville 1 center Fort Johnson South 1 center Franklin 1 center Gibson 2 centers Gonzales 2 centers Hammond 5 centers Harvey 3 centers Houma 6 centers Independence 2 centers Jefferson 1 center Jena 1 center Keithville 1 center Kenner 1 center Lafayette 8 centers Lake Charles 6 centers Laplace 1 center Leesville 2 centers Mamou 1 center Mandeville 2 centers Mansura 1 center Marksville 1 center Marrero 1 center Metairie 5 centers Minden 1 center Monroe 1 center Morgan City 3 centers Natchitoches 1 center New Iberia 4 centers New Orleans 9 centers Opelousas 1 center Pineville 1 center Plaquemine 1 center Ponchatoula 2 centers Port Allen 3 centers Prairieville 3 centers Reserve 1 center Ruston 1 center Schriever 1 center Scott 2 centers Shreveport 2 centers Slidell 2 centers Sorrento 2 centers St Amant 1 center St Martinville 1 center Sulphur 3 centers Torbert 1 center Vidalia 2 centers Ville Platte 1 center Walker 1 center Washington 1 center Welsh 1 center West Monroe 2 centers Westwego 1 center Zachary 2 centers

Recycling in Louisiana — FAQ

Does Louisiana have a bottle deposit or container redemption law?

No. Louisiana does not have a bottle deposit or container redemption (bottle bill) law. There is no refundable deposit on beverage containers sold in the state. Recycling beverage containers through curbside or drop-off programs is voluntary and availability varies by parish and municipality.

What state agency oversees recycling in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), Waste Permits Division, at 602 North 5th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (phone 225-219-3070), oversees solid waste and recycling programs. LDEQ regulates under La. R.S. 30:2411–2423 and LAC Title 33:VII, Part 2. Visit deq.louisiana.gov for recycling resources, collection center locators, and tax credit information.

Are there recycling tax incentives available in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana offers Recycling Tax Credits for taxpaying entities that purchase qualified new recycling manufacturing or processing equipment, or qualified service contracts. Eligible businesses may receive a credit against their Louisiana tax liability. Contact LDEQ's Waste Permits Division or visit deq.louisiana.gov/page/recycling-tax-credit for eligibility requirements and application details.

How does LDEQ track recycling progress in Louisiana?

LDEQ collects annual recycling data from cities and parishes across all 64 parishes and compiles this into an Annual Recycling Report submitted to the Louisiana Legislature. The report tracks diversion rates and material recovery progress across the state. LDEQ also operates a Materials Measurement Program as part of its EPA SWIFR grant activities. Reports are available at deq.louisiana.gov/page/annual-recycling-report.