More than 53 tons of potentially harmful materials have been collected during the last two Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day events in the River Parishes, and organizers are expecting similar results this year.

The annual event continues for the 17th year this month at two locations. Residents can drop off household hazardous materials for proper disposal or recycling from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the New Wine Ministries parking lot, 1921 Airline Highway in LaPlace and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the Jerusalem Shriners Hall AAONMS parking lot, 1940 Ormond Blvd. in Destrehan.

The collection day gives residents the opportunity to properly dispose or recycle materials that are inappropriate for curbside, garbage pickup. Event chairs are Lynette Currier of OxyChem and Jay Lambremont of Marathon Petroleum Company.

“Please take advantage of this opportunity,” Currier said. “Clean out hazardous materials from your utility rooms and sheds now so you can easily and properly dispose of these wastes on April 18.”

Lambremont said volunteers at the 2015 event will continue to accept used electronics, including televisions, computer monitors and radios.

“Although other recycling opportunities are available in our communities, we want to give residents an opportunity to properly dispose of these items,” Lambremont said.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful officials will be on hand in LaPlace sharing useful information and hand outs regarding other recycling opportunities throughout the year in St. John the Baptist, St. James and St. Charles Parishes.

Household Materials which will be accepted include oil-based paint, latex paint, solvents, tires (limit five per vehicle and one delivery only), automotive and other rechargeable batteries, household cleaning products, acids/bases, used oil, antifreeze, aerosol cans, fluorescent lamps, pesticides, herbicides, scrap metal, major appliances, used computers and electronics.

“We are looking forward to collecting household hazardous materials from our community again for the 17th consecutive year and will be accepting mercury found in newer light bulbs,” Lambremont said. “At last year’s Household Hazardous Materials Collection event, 83 volunteers at two locations collected over 24 tons of potentially harmful materials, which was prepared for recycling, recovery, treatment or disposal. 441 resident vehicles visited the two collection sites.”

In 2013, 104 volunteers collected over 29 tons of potentially harmful materials.

Those with questions are asked to email hotline@hhmcd.com or log onto  hhmcd.com.