While many students are unaware that recycling happens at NSU and in Natchitoches, the city plans to renew its contract with a recycling provider despite concerns of economic value.

“We encourage everybody to do recycling,” Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey says. “We are probably one of the biggest recyclers … in the state.”

But the economic value of recycling in Natchitoches, he says, is so low that is isn’t beneficial to the economy.

“We are planning on keeping ours as long as we can, as long as we get a decent price,” Posey says.

Michel Braxton, Public Works Department director, says recycling became prominent in Natchitoches about 10 years ago. However, he says many people are unaware of the proper way to separate trash. When waste is separated improperly, it is taken to a building where workers separate it.

Mary Gaffney, NSU sophomore, has been very involved in recycling all her life but says she isn’t aware of campus recycling.

“I’ve been doing recycling most of my life, so it’s sad that I don’t know much about recycling on campus,” she says.

Students can drop off recyclable items at 110 Mill St, in Fournet Hall and in CAPA.