St. Tammany Parish, LA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- St. Tammany Parish Code § 38-304
- Bin material ownership
- Becomes contractor's property once placed
- Protected window
- 24 hrs starting 6:00 p.m. before pickup
- Penalty range
- $100.00–$500.00 per offense
- Continuing violation
- Each day counts as a separate offense
- Enforcing office
- Dept. of Environmental Services director
Summary
Once recyclable material is placed in a Garbage District No. 1 bin at a designated collection site, it becomes the contractor's property, and only the authorized recycling contractor may pick it up during the 24 hours before the scheduled collection day. Unauthorized collection or bin theft is a fined offense.
(b)Ownership of recyclable waste materials properly placed in a recycling bin. Upon the placement of recyclable waste material in the collection bin at designated collection site in accordance with the requirements of this article, any recyclable materials shall become the property of the contractor for Garbage District No. 1. It shall be a violation of this article for any person not authorized by the Garbage District No. 1 to collect or pick up or cause to be collected or picked up any of such recyclable materials. ... (h)Penalty. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 38-304(b) states that once recyclable waste material is properly placed in a recycling bin at a designated collection site, it becomes the property of Garbage District No. 1's contractor, and it is a violation of the article for anyone not authorized by the district to collect or pick up that material. on the day before a scheduled recycling collection day, with each unauthorized removal from a designated location counted as a separate offense. Section 38-304(d) separately prohibits theft or unauthorized use of the recycling bins themselves, which remain the contractor's property.
The article does not stop residents from selling or donating recyclables directly, so long as the material is not first set out for collection as waste (Sec. 38-304(e)). Enforcement runs through the director of the Department of Environmental Services, in addition to the authority already held by police officers, and an authorized recycling contractor may also bring its own civil action against a violator under Sec. 38-304(g).
Violations & Fines
Sec. 38-304(h) sets a penalty of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense, with a separate offense deemed committed for each day a violation occurs or continues. An authorized recycling contractor can pursue a civil action against a violator in addition to any fine imposed under the code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take recyclables out of a bin at the curb before pickup?
Who owns recyclables once they're in the bin?
What is the fine for illegally taking recyclables?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Tammany Parish
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