The South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center has announced plans to make the Rougarou Fest a Zero Waste Event within the next five years.  A zero waste event follows sustainable practices to send the least possible amount of waste to landfills.  The key to a zero waste event is careful planning so that all materials used and disposed of are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.  The Rougarou Fest will set up Zero-Waste Stations for those recyclable and compostable materials such as bowls, cups, food scraps, and plastic bottles.

“I’ve seen reports that indicate the success of an event by the amount of trash created by people attending.  I don’t think that’s something that should be celebrated.  I understand it’s a way of estimating attendance, but I think we should have a better way that doesn’t celebrate trashing our community,” said Jonathan Foret, Executive Director of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, the organization that produces the Rougarou Fest.

“A successful Rougarou Fest will be one that generates lots of revenue for the Wetlands Discovery Center without generating much waste that is not reusable, recyclable, or compostable.  It may take us a few years to get there, but with the right partners, dedicated volunteers, a bit of education, and a community that really cares, we can make a difference,” stated Foret.

Festival organizers plan to finish using their current inventory, but will purchase products that are either compostable or recyclable in order to reduce the amount of waste that stays in landfills.  They will also work to begin educating festivalgoers on how to dispose of their trash at the event.  A five-year time line has been established in order to become a Zero Waste event.

“Again, I don’t expect for this to happen overnight.  We have lots of planning to do, and we will finish using our current supply of Styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons.  But, as we move forward, we plan on using materials that are biodegradable and compostable,” stated Foret.

After the Rougarou Fest achieves this goal within the next five years, organizers will begin working to make the Krewe Ga Rou parade something that produces less waste. The festival wants to make sure that city drains stay clear of debris and that trash does not wash into nearby waterways.

“As far as I know, there are no other Zero Waste Festivals in Louisiana.  The Rougarou Fest has put Terrebonne Parish on the map with many innovative ideas that even caught the attention of National Geographic last year. My hope is that we can set a standard that other festivals strive to achieve as it relates to Zero Waste,” stated Foret.

The Wetlands Discovery Center will pilot the Zero Waste concept at the upcoming Rougarou Ball on May 5, 2018 at the Houma Municipal Auditorium.

For more information, contact: Jonathan Foret at 985-580-7289/985-232-2800 or jforet@slwdc.org.