The individual companies and the employees which compose the St. John Industrial Group uphold a strong commitment to our environment, our community and our future. This year’s theme and annual community message which reports the group’s emissions to land, water, air and off-site, illustrates their dedication. Each company continually works to find better ways to reduce emissions, while maintaining and increasing production.

In addition to the many volunteer activities and financial contributions made by the St. John Industrial Group members, their strong commitment to our environment includes a desire to inform and educate the community of ways individuals can help improve the environment and sustain it for future generations.

Please read the information gathered from several web sites and resources which provides useful ideas you can implement! (You may want to visit the web sites identified to gather additional information.)

From http://earth911.org/for-students/students/grades-k-8/reduce/

The three R’s (recycling, reduction and reuse) and how important they are to the environment.
Individual consumers can substantially reduce solid waste by following these basic principles:

Reduce
One of the easiest ways to be a good environmental citizen is to reduce, or cut back, in key areas of your life. The three most important things to reduce consumption of are energy, water and solid waste. From turning off a light bulb when not in use to brushing your teeth without the tap running, you are doing your part to help save the planet.

Reuse
Reuse is simply the act of finding a second use for a product to prolong its life, and provides the opportunity to not only be thrifty but also to be creative. We already reuse so much in our everyday lives, from brushing our teeth with the same toothbrush for months at a time to eating meals on reusable plates. Reuse is an important step after you’ve already reduced, but before you are ready to recycle.

Recycle
Recycling is the process of taking a product at the end of its useful life and using all or part of it to make another product. Recycling reduces our garbage level, and making new products out of recycled ones reduces the amount of energy needed in production.

Recycling can take place at your home, school or anywhere a bin with the recycling symbol is used. Examples of some commonly recycled products include paper, aluminum cans and glass.

Water conservation plays an important role because we have a limited supply of freshwater available. Saving water around the house, such as turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, is a step in the right direction. Much of our water comes from natural sources such as rivers, so conserving also involves not contaminating these sources with substances like oil, litter and cigarette butts.

From http://www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org/

Do you think you’re littering only if you throw a food wrapper or soda can onto the street? Are you a smoker? Do you flick your cigarette butts out of your car window when you’re driving or onto the sidewalk when you’re walking down the street? That’s littering, too! Don’t empty your car’s ashtray onto the road while you’re waiting for the traffic signal to change. Don’t litter our roads and highways with trash that will essentially never go away.

What can you do if you see someone throwing a cigarette butt out of a car? Call the LITRBUG Hotline (1-888-LITRBUG or 1-888-548-7284) and report the license number of the vehicle. They will send the registered owner a letter and remind him/her that littering is not only ugly, it’s against the law.

From http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publications+Catalog/

Go to this site for FREE DOWNLOADS from 4H and LSU Ag Center! Among the publications in the catalog are:

• Trees for Louisiana Landscapes- A Handbook
• Functions and Values of Wetlands in Louisiana
• Native Tree Growing Guide for Louisiana
• Beginning With Bees

Louisiana Wildlife News is a bimonthly publication intended to serve as an outlet for wildlife issues relevant to Louisiana and the Southeast. In addition to current news events, profiles on specific plant, wildlife and nuisance wildlife species are included in each issue.

From http://www.dotd.la.gov/programs_grants/adopt/adopt_a_road.asp

LA DOTD’s Adopt-a-Road program enlists volunteers to remove litter and debris from state and federal roadsides. While saving taxpayer dollars, the program provides recognition for participating groups and organizations, promotes civic responsibility and pride, makes the public aware of the problem and helps keep Louisiana Clean and Green!

St. John the Baptist Parish is located in District 62 (Hammond area). You may call this toll free number for more information: 1-800-545-9280. (Note: As of August 2003, there are 678 Adopt-a-road groups responsible for approximately 1205 miles of highway.)

From http://www.nrc-recycle.org/americarecycles.aspx

America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 10th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling.

Books to Read About Litter and Environment
Click here to view a pdf listing great books on these topics.

Tips for Reducing Waste During the Holidays
Read about ways you can reduce waste.

La Storm Drain Stencil Program
Learn details about this program.