The results are in from this year’s Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day, and they spell success for the annual event’s 18th year. The April collection day was held in Luling and LaPlace, and the final total of 76,317 pounds of material collected to recycle, dispose and treat was an increase of nearly 3,000 compared to last year’s event.
“We’re very pleased with the response of the community,” said Jan Herrington of Positive Results. “Not just in the amount of materials made available for collection, but in the awareness everyone has (of the day). Even students and young children are aware now and want do the right thing. So many people are glad to help.”
The collection day has been held annually since 1998 and its purpose is to provide area households an opportunity to properly dispose or recycle materials that are inappropriate for curbside pickup. Materials such as solvents, poisons, used oil, electronics and corrosives require special handling to minimize safety and environmental impact. Herrington said the mark of 76,317 mark was the largest in several years. Twenty-five area manufacturers sponsored the event, providing funding and volunteers. Of the 76,317 pounds of material, 9,530 pounds was oil/antifreeze, almost twice the amount collected last year. Batteries comprised 3,323 pounds, very similar to the 2015 event collection amount. Latex paint was 11,866 pounds, the most ever collected and nearly four times the average. Used electronics accounted for 17,724 pounds, while 3,860 pounds was scrap metal.
Herrington was encouraged by the amount of electronic devices that were donated.
“Where we are as a society, electronics are a bigger part of our lives than ever,” she said. “It’s good to see people aren’t throwing their (phones and computer monitors) curbside.”
Another positive outcome, she said, was that 90 percent of the collected materials were able to be recycled or recycled.
The two sites this year included assistance from 92 volunteers who serviced drop-offs from 490 vehicles.
Herrington also credited the event’s sponsors, noting this year that Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day had an increased sponsorship base.
For more information or to see photos from the event, visit www.hhmcd.com.
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