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LAPLACE — For the first time in 22 years, the annual Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day event hosted by St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James Parish industries has been cancelled due to safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a committee meeting held last week, group leaders discussed the pros and cons of hosting this year’s event.

“Many people are working from home and facilities have instituted social distancing policies and other similar practices to prevent the spread of the virus. We do not want to pose any risk to our employee volunteers or to the public and agreed to skip the 2020 event,” explained Jason Bradford with Marathon Petroleum Company. Other committee members include Lynette Currier (OxyChem – Taft), Durell Morris (Valero), Michael McNally (Shell), Lance Traylor and Jay Lambremont, both of Marathon Petroleum Company.

However, the tri-parish HHMCD group has already garnered a date for the 2021 event: On Saturday, April 24, 2021 industries will host the 22^nd event with drop off locations at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling and the New Wine Ministries parking lot in LaPlace. In addition to approximately 23 supporting industries, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry are also supporting the event. The goal of this event is to provide households an opportunity to properly dispose or recycle materials that are inappropriate for curbside pickup.

“We greatly appreciate all area residents who continue to contact the hotline asking about the event,” said Lynette Currier. She continued, “Please continue to save and collect your materials and we will assist in proper disposal in April.” All committee leaders agreed this was a difficult decision and realize many residents may be disappointed. We do know the public understands and appreciates our focus on personal safety. Michael McNally encourages all residents and requests, “Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the 2021 event!”

More details are forthcoming in the new year and available at www.hhmcd.com, and will be promoted in local newspapers, parish websites and parish social media. Please plan now to visit one of two HHMCD event sites on Saturday, April 24, 2021. For more information, please email hotline@hhmcd.com.