GULFPORT, Miss. - April 11, 2008 - The Harrison County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held Saturday, April 19, at Mississippi Power’s Plant Watson on Cowan Road, rain or shine. Drop off hours will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The event is free to residents (not businesses) who want to properly dispose of hazardous household products, including aerosols, cleaners and polishes, lighter fluid, fluorescent light bulbs, detergents, disinfectants, gasoline, transmission fluid, motor oil and filters, car batteries, tires, insecticides, paint, paint thinner, antifreeze, poisons and pesticides. Small electronic items such as microwaves, stereos, televisions, computers, fax machines, phones and VCRs will also be collected. No medical waste, furniture, trash or radioactive materials will be accepted.

“It is critical that household hazardous waste items do not wind up in landfills or in our environment here on the Coast,” said Harrison County Supervisor Connie Rockco. “This event raises awareness to our residents and citizens along the Coast to properly dispose of waste, ultimately helping improve and protect our environment. We want to make it easy for people to do the right thing—all that residents have to do is bring in their items. Mississippi Power volunteers will unload their vehicles as they drive through the line. We’re providing all the equipment and methods needed for correctly disposing of hazardous materials or recycling some of the items.”

The hazardous waste collection day, now in its thirteenth year, is sponsored by Mississippi Power, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Beautification, Environmental Protection Agency, Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality, The Sun Herald, Harrison County Sheriff’s Dept., Interstate State Battery, Howard Ave. Firestone, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., American Medical Response, Aaron Oil, Gulfport Fire Dept., Harrison County HazMat Team, Allen Beverages Pepsi Products, Waste Management, Advanced Disposal, Beau Rivage and S.H. Anthony. Since 1995, more than 250 tons of hazardous chemicals alone have been collected.

*Editor’s Note*

Selected data from the 2007 collection event:

• Paint 72, 220 pounds
• Hazardous Chemicals 22,185 pounds
• Electronic Waste 27,334 pounds
• Waste Oil 1,444 gallons

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Media Contact: Cindy Duvall, Mississippi Power Corporate Communications, 228.865.5543 or 1.800.821.6383, cwduvall@southernco.com