Five hundred people were disappointed when Lafayette Consolidated Government’s household chemical day was cut short on Sat., June 13.  Severe lightning forced the event to be shut down at 9:30 that Saturday morning, and 500 attendees had to return home with their chemicals.

The event has been rescheduled for Sat., June 27 at the Cajun Field parking lot. Persons residing in the city of Lafayette and unincorporated areas of Lafayette Parish are encouraged to attend the event from 8 a.m. until noon to have old household chemicals properly disposed.

Mark Pope, Environmental Quality Manager, says that in the 22 years of household chemical collections in Lafayette, he has never seen so many cars waiting in line to have their chemicals properly disposed. He also said that a chemical collection day has never been shut down early for any reason.

“Despite the inclement weather that was forecast for June 13, Lafayette citizens came out in droves to properly dispose of chemicals. I’m extremely proud of our citizens for wanting to do the right thing,” Pope said.

“I think people were trying to beat stormy weather that was forecast. I also think that all the education associated with LCG’s Project Front Yard is starting to pay dividends – more and more people are doing their part to ensure a safer, cleaner and more attractive Lafayette,” he said.

Project Front Yard is a long-term initiative begun by LCG in the fall of 2014, with an emphasis on education and hands-on projects intended to engage citizens throughout Acadiana in taking an active role in the cleanliness and attractiveness of their communities.

Eleven and a half tons of chemicals were collected from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on June 13. Over two hundred cars were able to drop off their chemicals before the event was shut down.

Attendees should enter Cajun Field off of W. Congress St. into Gate 3.   An information flyer listing the items that will be accepted at the chemical day is available on-line at lafayettela.gov.  Residents may also call the Environmental Quality Division at 291-8529.