GULFPORT, Miss. – The 18th annual Harrison County household hazardous waste collection event known as “Bring It!,” will be held Saturday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mississippi Power’s Plant Watson on Lorraine Road in Gulfport. The event is designed to provide Harrison County residents with a safe and convenient way to dispose of hazardous household waste at no charge.

“Everyone’s doing a little spring cleaning around the house these days, so it’s the perfect opportunity to make sure items like paints, chemicals, oils and so much more are properly disposed,” said Harrison County Supervisor Connie Rockco. “With Earth Day just a few days away, ‘Bring It!’ is a great way to help make your home safer and Harrison County cleaner.”

Event organizers are prepared to collect a wide range of waste products including batteries, paints, tires, chemicals, oils and appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and stoves. Residents can also bring e-waste such as old cell phones, computers, fax machines, television sets and VCRs. Expired prescription drugs will also be collected.

Residents also can bring up to four useable gas containers, which emit pollutants, and exchange them for new eco-friendly ones. Two and five gallon metal or plastic designated gas containers will be available for exchange on a first come, first served basis.

Medical waste, syringes, furniture, asbestos or items containing explosive or radioactive material will not be accepted.

Also waste from businesses will not be accepted as the event is provided as a service to local residents.

From the event’s inception in 1995, more than 330 tons of hazardous material has been collected.
“Bring It!” is sponsored by Mississippi Power, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Beautification Commission, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Waste Management, Pepsi, Waste Pro, Waste Oil Collectors, Interstate Battery and the Gulf Regional Planning Commission. For more information, residents can contact Jenna Bennett, Harrison County Beautification Commission director, at 228-214-1405 or beautification@co.harrison.ms.us

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Recognized throughout the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts, Mississippi Power is the 2013 winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Assistance Award. Visit our website at www.mississippipower.com. Follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.

Editor’s Note:
Selected data from the 2012 collection event:
• Paint  440 gallons
• Aerosols  2610 pounds
• Propane cylinders  53
• Fire extinguishers  319 pounds
• Flammable Liquids  275 gallons
• Corrosives  1228 pounds
• Batteries  898 pounds
• Fluorescent bulbs  1335 linear feet

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