Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana – The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Pick It Up Calcasieu program has received the Outstanding Community Affiliate Award from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, recognizing the parish’s comprehensive approach to combating litter and illegal dumping.

Wyvette Pryor-Cousin, Assistant Director of Public Health and Litter Manager for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, accepted the award during the Keep Louisiana Beautiful State Conference in Baton Rouge. The recognition places Pick It Up Calcasieu among the state’s most effective anti-litter initiatives.

The award represents one of Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s 10 Everyday Hero Awards, which annually recognize businesses, organizations and residents who demonstrate exceptional commitment to maintaining litter-free communities across Louisiana. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is the state’s primary organization dedicated to environmental beautification and waste reduction.

According to Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Pick It Up Calcasieu has fundamentally changed how the parish addresses litter through a three-pronged strategy focusing on enforcement, education and community engagement. The organization highlighted the program’s measurable results, which include organizing 13 community cleanups that removed more than 17,500 pounds of litter from parish areas.

The program has achieved significant growth in community participation, tripling volunteer involvement over a two-year period. This expansion demonstrates increased public engagement in environmental stewardship throughout Calcasieu Parish.

Pick It Up Calcasieu has implemented innovative outreach tools to enhance its effectiveness. The program features the “TrashFormer,” a specialized litter-collecting robot developed by students at McNeese State University. This technology represents a collaborative effort between the parish government and local higher education institutions to address environmental challenges.

The parish also operates Residential Solid Waste Convenience Centers, which provide accessible waste disposal services to approximately 5,000 residents monthly. These facilities offer convenient alternatives to illegal dumping while supporting proper waste management practices throughout the community.

“From combating illegal dumping, to organizing 13 cleanups that removed more than 17,500 pounds of litter, to tripling volunteer participation in just two years, their results speak for themselves,” Keep Louisiana Beautiful stated. “With creative outreach tools like the ‘TrashFormer,’ a litter-collecting robot designed by students at McNeese State University, and accessible services such as Residential Solid Waste Convenience Centers that serve 5,000 residents monthly, Keep Calcasieu Beautiful (Pick It Up Calcasieu) is changing culture, building pride, and setting a model for the rest of Louisiana.”

Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Judd Bares praised the program’s staff for their dedication and creative approaches to environmental challenges.

“I’m incredibly proud of our staff and the work they’ve done through Pick It Up Calcasieu,” Bares said. “This award is a big deal, and it’s a reflection of their dedication, creativity, and the impact they’re making right here in our community.”

Pryor-Cousin emphasized the collaborative nature of the program’s success, crediting community partnerships and support for the recognition.

“It is truly an honor for our team to receive this award,” Pryor-Cousin said. “Our shared goal has always been to make a meaningful difference in everything we do. This recognition is not just for us, but for everyone who partnered with us or supported the efforts that have made Pick It Up Calcasieu a success. It reflects the strength of collaboration and the commitment of our community.”

The Outstanding Community Affiliate Award recognizes Pick It Up Calcasieu’s comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship, which extends beyond traditional cleanup efforts to include education and technological innovation. The program serves as a model for other Louisiana communities seeking to address litter and illegal dumping challenges.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s recognition highlights the effectiveness of combining enforcement measures with community engagement and educational outreach. The organization noted that Pick It Up Calcasieu’s multi-faceted approach has created measurable improvements in environmental quality while fostering community pride.