- problem: Louisiana election generated millions of non-recyclable signs
- Fix: Bring your used signs to a designated collection point and they will be transported free of charge to your nearest recycling center in Alabama.
- Impact: 40,000 recycled signs
- Take-out: Tre’ Bishop, 14, spearheaded a campaign to recycle political signs in 2019, successfully passing the Louisiana Legislature to garner support for a statewide expansion.
Political signs spread like wildflowers each election season, stretching their sinuous legs from roadside medians and front lawns. Corrugated plastic placards are weather resistant, attention grabbing and easy to assemble. Also, recycling is not possible in Louisiana.
Tre Bishop, a high school freshman and son of Rep. Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette), made headlines in 2019 when he launched his own political billboard recycling campaign in sixth grade. Now Bishop, who has just successfully passed the bill in both houses, met with his Governor John Bell to petition for resources to expand the program statewide.
He makes some pretty compelling arguments. Bishop wrote: Let’s say each of these candidates gave his 100 autographs. With no political sign recycling program in the state, there are over 2 million signs in landfills. ”
Bishop said his pilot program in the Lafayette area has collected about 10,000 autographs each year for the past four years. And they are not all political. “The dumpsters were full of his autographs in the yards of every business, from roofs to real estate to guitar lessons,” he explains.
His process has streamlined over time, primarily through a partnership with KW Plastics, a large plastic recycling company and supplier based in Alabama. Bishop says KW will carry autographs from his bin collection in his Lafayette area to headquarters free of charge. The real challenge, according to Bishop, is getting the used signs off the ground and into the bin.
Don’t worry, he has that plan too. Ascension Episcopal School His Beta As a member of his club, Bishop established a network with other clubs in Louisiana. He says members are well placed to volunteer and collect autographs after each state and local election. It boasts a certain Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Parish Proud endorsement.
Bishop says his meeting with Edwards went well, but he’s still waiting for the next step from the governor. He has also partnered with Wreaths Across America to reuse metal stakes from signs that plastic cannot recycle.
Ahead of the November election, Bishop is encouraging everyone, especially candidates, to drop off used signs at one of his three collection points. Without this extra step, the sign could take about 20 years to decompose in a local landfill, he says.
“All we want to do is make the state better,” Bishop says seriously. “It’s just a small step to seize the opportunity and help the community in some way. This is a big deal for the future.”
Join us! Here’s what we can help you with:
Any ideas for small fixes?
Tell me about it! No problem too big, no fix too small.