No one likes recognizing the trash that exists unattended at one’s own home.

As much as we may want to avoid it, it’s surely there. So much so that a long-running and successful effort dubbed “Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day” is ready for its 17th year serving the River Parishes.

The day has arrived.

Residents can drop off household hazardous materials for proper disposal or recycling from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the New Wine Ministries parking lot, 1921 Airline Highway in LaPlace and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Jerusalem Shriners Hall AAONMS parking lot, 1940 Ormond Blvd. in Destrehan.

In essence, today provides an opportunity for area residents to properly dispose or recycle materials that are inappropriate for curbside, garbage pickup.

Thanks to a host of local industrial sponsors and an army of volunteers, now is the time to drop off used electronics, including televisions, computer monitors and radios.

Other household materials being 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 and major appliances.

“Although other recycling opportunities are available in our communities, we want to give residents an opportunity to properly dispose of these items,” said Jay Lambremont of Marathon Petroleum Company, an event co-chair.

More than 80 volunteers collected 24 tons of potentially harmful materials last year that was all safely prepared for recycling, recovery, treatment or disposal.

That’s 24 tons of junk that no longer sits in storage and no longer rots near our neighborhood children.

It’s also no longer a threat to end up as a roadside eyesore or discarded waterway hazard.

Spring cleaning can start in earnest today if you take the time to clear out any household hazardous materials and deliver them to local volunteers.

When else can you find so many people so willing to deal with your trash?