Parish to hold hazardous material recycling day

Ascension Parish Government will host a household hazardous materials recycling day April 18 from 8 a.m.-noon at the Ascension Civic Center in Sorrento.

Organizers are working to raise resident awareness and promote responsible disposal of household hazardous materials by providing an opportunity to bring in unwanted or partially-used items for recycling, according to spokesperson Ami Johnson.

The recycling day is the first of its kind to be held in the parish and is the result of a cooperative agreement between the parish and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

Planners are encouraging residents to clean their garages and gardening sheds responsibly.

Several items found in the two locations are frequently disposed of improperly, through garbage pickup, landfill deposits or by pouring excess onto the ground. Most of these materials have damaging effects on the environment or present safety hazards if stored over long periods.

Ascension Parish’s Terance Irvin wants residents to know “participating in the Household Hazardous Materials Recycling Day will help keep toxins and flammables out of our residential garbage cans and landfills, helping the environment.” 

He pointed out the opportunity for residents to get rid of old paint, oil, oil-filters and more.

“There are several items we’ll be accepting at the event, including TVs, tires, car batteries, computers, gardening pesticides and fertilizers, and more.”

Based on similar Baton Rouge events, planners are preparing for a large turnout. To help expedite the process for residents, the Civic Center will be setup with drive through stations. 

“There will be plenty of volunteers,” said volunteer organizer Amy Erwin. “Participants need only pull up and pop the trunk or gate on their vehicle and wait to be unloaded.”

The event is only open to Ascension Parish residents and will require identification certifying residency.

No commercial, school or non-resident waste will be accepted.

Those interested in participating should visit the Environmental Services department on the Ascension Parish Web site at www.ascensionparish.net for a full listing of the items that will be accepted. 

The event is being held in cooperation with Keep Ascension Beautiful, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.