Lafayette's first Zero Waste Week!

Thanks to the dedicated people working with No Waste Lafayette, May 16 -22 has been declared as the first local Zero Waste Week. The week will feature opportunities to learn about local zero waste efforts through in-person and virtual activities.  

 

No Waste Lafayette President Catherine Comeaux says, “Zero waste refers to the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of products, packaging and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water or air that threaten the environment or human health. Zero Waste Week will explore how Lafayette is already embracing this philosophy and opportunities for us all to do more.”

Each day of Zero Waste Week will focus on specific themes, and No Waste Lafayette is calling on residents, nonprofits, schools and businesses to participate in each day’s theme. These events provide a great opportunity to participate and learn more on sustainable ways of living, and show you how easy it can be to adopt zero-waste principles.

 

• Sunday (5/16): Reconnect. Reconnect with nature and look for upstream solutions. Join us for a self-guided group paddle on Bayou Vermilion, starting at the canoe/kayak launch near Vermilionville at 2 p.m. RSVP on Facebook!
  
• Monday: Rethink. Rethink your consumption and disposal habits. Consider new ways to avoid creating waste.
• Tuesday: Reuse and Refill. Visit local thrift stores and businesses who help us work towards zero waste.
• Wednesday: Reduce. Reduce food waste through growing and composting. Join us for a 3:30 p.m. tour at Bayou Vermilion District’s La Cuisine de Maman to learn about their Rocket food waste composter. RSVP on Facebook!
  
• Thursday: Research. Join us for a virtual Zero Waste Happy Hour, where we will dig deeper into what it means to work towards zero waste. RSVP on Facebook!
  
• Friday: Reject. Reject single-use disposables, especially those that are harmful to the environment, like Styrofoam and plastics. Have a Foam-Free Friday lunch, post a pic, tag No Waste Lafayette on Facebook or Instagram, and enter to win a prize.
• Saturday: Repair.  Join us at the main Lafayette Public Library downtown from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for a Fix It Event. Bring in your broken items and volunteer fixers will be repairing items and teaching us about how to reduce our waste through repair. RSVP on Facebook!
  

No Waste Lafayette was founded in 2017 and strives to educate the community on various zero waste methods in order to help with the reduction of unnecessary waste. The group's members are awesome examples of living sustainably, and have helped reduce waste in Lafayette through numerous fix-it cafes and community cleanups. 

 

 

Next week is sure to be fun and educational. Join in and participate in Lafayette's first Zero Waste Week!

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Local Restaurants That Use Plant-Based Packaging

(Originally posted 7/16/2020, last updated 4/1/2022)

With almost every restaurant adapting to takeout and curbside pickup orders during the pandemic, single-use takeout containers, utensils, straws and napkins have definitely multiplied.

It is so important to continue to support local businesses during these times, especially restaurants that are struggling to keep their doors open. And ordering dinner from your favorite restaurant is a nice break from cooking once in awhile. (Even though I love to cook, I get burnt out on doing it as often as I have been, and look forward to treating the family to some restaurant food!)

So during Plastic Free July, I came up with a list of locally/regionally owned restaurants in Acadiana that use plant-based or plastic- and Styrofoam-free packaging. Not only are these some delicious restaurants, but you can also feel better knowing you aren't contributing to more plastic and Styrofoam waste.

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Guide to Shopping Sustainably in Acadiana

Over my years of blogging, one of the things I've enjoyed most is seeing more businesses come to Acadiana that focus on sustainability in some way. It's encouraging to see more demand for secondhand goods, locally made goods and waste-free shopping!

So today, I'm rounding up a guide to shopping sustainably in Acadiana! Whether you live here or plan to visit when it's more safe, this can help you find a place to start if eco-friendly shops are something you value. Many of these businesses I've written about before, so click on their name to read the post! Scroll to the end to find a custom Google map as well.

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Green Around Acadiana | Clothing Swap at Deuxième Vie Creative

I've written about Deuxieme Vie Creative before and shared their background as a nonprofit creative reuse space in downtown Lafayette. Over the past couple years, they've expanded on their events and classes, accepting donated goods and repurposing items along the way.

Coming up next week is a fun event for families all over Acadiana! In partnership with No Waste Lafayette, Deuxieme Vie Creative is hosting a clothing swap on Saturday, December 14.

There are specific details to participate, so be sure to read the steps below. If you have any questions, feel free to message the center on Facebook or Instagram - they are very responsive!

All proceeds raised from the clothing swap will go towards creative reuse, community sustainability and programs funded by both No Waste Lafayette and Deuxième Vie Creative.

COST

$5 participation fee at the door

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday December 14, 11am - 3pm (start time change)
549 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA, 70501

Photo courtesy Deuxieme Vie Creative

DETAILS

• Bring in your donations to Deuxieme Vie from Saturday, December 7 through Friday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. They are open 10am-5:30pm every day.
• Clothing must be donated BEFORE the swap day. Do not bring your clothing on the day of or evening of the swap.
• Please only donate wearable items. Ripped or broken items will not be accepted. 
• Accepted items include men's, women's and children's pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, shoes, belts, sweaters and coats.
• When you bring your items in, you will be given tokens to use as currency during the swap. Bring your tokens on the day of the clothing swap and use them as your currency.
• Please bring reusable bags to carry your goodies out!
• Interested in shopping even though you don’t have clothes to swap? All unused tokens will be available with a donation during the swap.
• All unclaimed clothes will be donated to local organizations in need.

VISIT ON FACEBOOK

• Deuxieme Vie Creative
• No Waste Lafayette
• Facebook event link

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Touring the UL Lafayette Solar PART Lab

After I wrote a few weeks back about the UL Office of Sustainability hosting a day dedicated to panels on sustainability efforts, I decided to sign up to attend the final session of the day. It focused on the construction and usage of UL Lafayette's Solar PART Lab and included a field trip to the lab.

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Green Around Acadiana | St. Landry Parish Visitor Center

If I said there was a building in South Louisiana that utilizes solar and wind power, incorporates passive energy efficiency design, collects rainwater, was built with reclaimed materials and showcases local plants and art, would you know where I'm talking about?

If I said that building is the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, would you be surprised?

Nestled just off of I-49 Exit 23 north of Opelousas, the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center serves to provide travelers with information on notable places and current events in the parish, but it also serves as a destination in itself.

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Household Hazardous Waste Day

This Saturday, October 20, is Lafayette's semi-annual Household Hazardous Waste collection day. For residents of the city of Lafayette and unincorporated areas of the parish, the event serves as a way to have those household chemicals collected and disposed of properly.

Paint, paint chemicals, cleaners, pool chemicals and batteries are among the accepted items, along with a variety of electronics. For the full list of what's accepted, check out the Lafayette Consolidated Government website.

All collected paint will be reblended by Habitat for Humanity and sold at the ReStore.

A few tips if you plan to participate in this Saturday's collection:

• Have your ID available as proof of your residence within city limits or in the unincorporated areas of the parish.
• Enter the Cajun Field parking lot at Gate 3 from Congress Street. 
• The event is open from 8am-noon, but lines can get long. The earlier you arrive, the less you'll have to wait.
• If you have liquid items, make sure the containers are properly closed, as leaky containers won't be accepted.

LEARN MORE

Facebook event | List of accepted items

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Deuxieme Vie Creative | Creative Reuse

Earlier this year, Deuxieme Vie Creative, a new creative space, opened in downtown Lafayette. Founded by Cindi Axtell, the space is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to creating environmentally sustainable behavior through educating and promoting resourceful artistry and environmental awareness in the community.

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Photo Friday | Cajun Pregnancy Milestones

I have two apps on my phone where I keep track of baby's development each week, but the fruit size comparisons are not typically the best. Sometimes I'm not even familiar with the fruit (and yes, I have Googled a few), and sometimes, the fruits are contradictory - as in, one app will say a tomato at 17 weeks and another will say a tomato at 19 weeks.

The general fruit list inspired me to brainstorm a much more entertaining list of pregnancy milestones - one that is all Cajun!

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Ragin Cajuns Kick Off to Composting

I obviously won't be making it out to many college football games this season, although I do plan on cheering on my Ragin Cajuns from home each weekend.

For the past few years, the UL Lafayette Office of Sustainability has led a recycling initiative both inside the stadium and at every tailgating spot. A recycling bin would accompany every trash can, and the school would participate in the annual Game Day Challenge (which is now apparently defunct), where the season landfill diversion rates would be scored between all participating universities.

But this year, the Office of Sustainability is going for a new tactic: going zero-waste!

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Photo Friday | Pamplona Tapas Bar's Commitment to Reducing Waste

Nestled in Downtown Lafayette, in a gorgeous historic building, is the restaurant Pamplona Tapas Bar. The restaurant is known for its gourmet tapas menu, ambiance and killer sangria (okay, it's definitely known to me for its killer sangria).

But did you know that Pamplona has also made efforts to reduce its own waste footprint and recycle more?

Photo courtesy Pamplona Tapas Bar

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Photo Friday | Gulf Brew Recycling

This weekend is Lafayette's annual beer festival, known as Gulf Brew. It always draws a huge crowd, where attendees can sample a ton of beers from local, craft and larger breweries. The proceeds benefit Acadiana Center for the Arts, helping to continue Lafayette's strong arts culture.

Photo via Gulf Brew

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Photo Friday | Mickey's Loop Bike Ride

Happy Friday, everyone! It's been yet another whirlwind week...while I keep hoping that one of these weeks will be a little less busy, I've pretty much accepted the fact that I will have about five minutes of downtime a week before the baby arrives, ha.

Who all is looking forward to a day off next week, even if it's smack dab in the middle of the week?

But looking ahead on the calendar to an event I saw on Facebook this week...the third annual Mickey's Loop Memorial Bike Ride is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11. The loop bike lane is named for Mickey Shunick, and passes in front of her memorial bicycle on St. Landry Street near downtown. Forward Lafayette and TRAIL Events are putting on the ride again this year.

This year, the bike ride is in honor of JeanPaul Judice, who was killed earlier in January while riding his bicycle after a pickup soccer game.

My husband and I participated in the first Mickey's Loop Memorial Bike Ride back in 2016, and it was definitely a hot, sunny evening. If you participate in the ride, be sure to bring a lot of water, and don't forget your helmet and lights.

Because of the heat, I won't be able to participate in the ride this year, although I wish I could get in a bunch more miles on my bicycle before September! Baby and I will still be supporting all of the riders in spirit and remembering the legacies of all those who have been killed while riding their bicycles.

Visit the Facebook event page for the memorial ride to get all the latest updates.

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Photo Friday | Bicycle Safety Festival and Summer Reading Kickoff

Tomorrow will be a busy day for two of my favorite eco-friendly things: bicycles and libraries!

Happening tomorrow at Parc Putnam in Downtown Lafayette, the third annual Bicycle Safety Festival and Lafayette Public Library's Summer Reading Kickoff is helping to herald in summer vacation.

Parc Putnam is on Lafayette Street across from the federal courthouse - there is plenty of street parking, but of course, I encourage you to ride your bicycles there! The Congress Street bike lane is conveniently adjacent to Lafayette Street, allowing you a safer ride. (In previous years, the festival was held at Parc San Souci.)

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Photo Friday | National Bike Month

Happy Friday everyone! Are you just as relieved as me that the weekend is here?


In honor of National Bike Month, which kicked off on Tuesday, I've got a new article in this week's Times of Acadiana on a new bike rental option in the Lafayette area. The city does not have a large public bike share program, although the UL Lafayette campus has the Geaux Velo bike share.

However, BudBike, the new bike rental program, offers something different for riders - electric bicycles! These allow you to cruise a little more and enjoy the surrounding scenery, and can be rented by the day.

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Photo Friday | Sustainable Festival Food Options

Super quick post today, because I know most everyone in Acadiana has Festival fever!

I've got to give a shout out to Scratch Farm Kitchen, a staple at the Farmers and Artisans Markets on Saturday mornings, and a new food vendor at Festival International.

Photo via Scratch Farm Kitchen's Facebook

They focus on serving farm to plate street food, and this week, they shared an Instagram post showing off their compostable bowls for the weekend. It's so great to see a Festival vendor looking for more eco-friendly options!

Photo via Scratch Farm Kitchen's Instagram

If you're looking for a healthy Festival food alternative, check out their menu:

• W.E. Grassfed Burger
• Beta Bowl
• LocoRito Burrito
• Curry Up

Then, visit their food truck located in the LUS La Craft Biergarten space on Jefferson Street all weekend!

Don't forget to check out my blog post and Times of Acadiana article on how to geaux green at Festival International, and have fun this weekend!

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Festival!

The stages are set up, the music started last night and Downtown Lafayette is about to get a lot more residents for the weekend - Festival International is here, y'all!

The weather forecast looks pretty perfect, and there are many ways you can make Festival your own.

Whether you attend one afternoon or all five days of music, dancing, eating and drinking, remember to party a little greener!

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Earth Month Spotlight | Dane Thibodeaux

Although Earth Day has passed, we've still got almost a week left to the month, and that means one more spotlight on an awesome green person in Acadiana. This week, it's none other than Dane Thibodeaux, who puts much of his passion into the TECHE Project! Dane can be found representing the organization and Bayou Teche at many community events, including the Vermilionville Earth Day Festival this past weekend.

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Photo Friday | Preparing for Earth Day

As with pretty much everything so far this year, Earth Day is still managing to sneak up on me!

For yet another weekend, the rain looks to put a damper on events, but I'm still looking forward to attending the annual Earth Day festival at Vermilionville to check out the booths and exhibits.

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Earth Month Spotlight | Simon Mahan

When I think of go-to environmental people in Lafayette, I think of Simon Mahan. The husband and father of two who hails from Missouri has become Lafayette's voice on alternative power and energy.

He's an advocate for wind and solar energy and supports local options for electric vehicle drivers. And his home is partially powered by solar panels, so he practices what he preaches.

Photo courtesy Simon Mahan.

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