Environment

Turn in extra medicine April 28 to protect families, environment

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, 9:57am

VANCOUVER, Wash. – If you have medication no longer needed, you can dispose of it safely on April 28, just as many people did during highly successful collection drives in 2011.

During last year’s events, more than 380 people brought in almost 700 pounds of unwanted medications for disposal by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, more than 200 pounds of paper, cardboard, glass and plastic containers were collected and recycled.

This year an event has been scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at Clark College’s Purple Parking Lot No. 1 (by the soccer field), 1900 Fort Vancouver Way. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Clark County Department of Environmental Services, in partnership with PREVENT! The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Clark County and Clark College.

The 2008 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey found that one in 10 high school seniors admitted to misusing prescription drugs in the previous 30 days. Prescription drugs no longer needed and left in homes increase the risk of dangerous and inappropriate uses.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Free Jan. 7 collection event to accept clean block foam, electronics

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, 10:57am

Free Jan. 7 collection event to accept clean block foam, electronics

VANCOUVER, Wash. -– With the presents unwrapped and holidays passed, Clark County residents can recycle leftover block foam and used electronic items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7, at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center, 3510 S.E. 164th Ave.

Empower Up, a local nonprofit that recycles electronics, will accept computers and other electronic equipment. Refurbished computers are given to students, families in need and nonprofit organizations.

Working electronic equipment no more than five years old is preferred, but nonfunctioning and obsolete equipment will be accepted. Do not bring televisions, computer monitors or microwave ovens. For a list of free e-waste disposal sites that accept old TVs, go to RecyclingA-Z.com.

Block foam packaging, or Styrofoam®, can be any color, but it must be clean and bagged or boxed. No plastic-wrapped yellow urethane foam, spongy polypropylene foam, hot tub covers, packing peanuts or foam with cardboard, tape or metal attached will be accepted.

Total Reclaim, a Portland recycling business, grinds and melts Styrofoam into ingots, reducing the foam's volume by roughly 98 percent.

View Comments | Post a Comment

‘Curb’ your used antifreeze, motor oil for easy recycling

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011, 1:25pm

VANCOUVER, Wash. -– With the weather turning decidedly chilly, Clark County residents may be checking and changing their vehicles’ antifreeze.

For that reason, Clark County Environmental Services is reminding residents that used antifreeze and motor oil are accepted for curbside recycling.

Antifreeze and motor oil should never be dumped down a household drain, on the ground or into a storm drain.

Fixing oil and other fluid leaks also helps protect pets and the environment. Antifreeze that leaks or is drained onto the ground is a hazard to dogs and cats because it contains ethylene glycol, which is deadly when ingested. When it rains, what has leaked onto the pavement may be washed away to contaminate soils or waterways.

Curbside recycling is available at all single-family homes, but not all apartments or condominiums. Check with your manager before setting out used antifreeze or oil if you live in a multi-family complex.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Learn to be able to recognize and manage hazardous trees

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Thursday, November 17th, 2011, 9:00am

Learn to be able to recognize and manage hazardous trees

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- During winter storms many residents become concerned about the condition and safety of large trees. Careful understanding and management of tree defects creates a safer environment, reduces liability and helps when prioritizing tree care.

All trees have the potential to fail, but only a relative few actually do so. "Just because a tree is mature doesn't mean it will fail," said Charles Ray, Urban Forester for the City of Vancouver. "Most trees fail because of an existing defect in the tree, such as cankers, decay and root problems." Defects can be identified by a certified arborist.

Urban Forestry has a webpage with tips and resources on how to recognize and manage hazardous trees. Learn what you can do before a storm to make sure your trees are prepared for all weather conditions. View a list of certified arborists to help manage your valuable assets.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Free leaf coupons helps keep leaves out of streets, storm drains

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011, 9:09am

Free leaf coupons helps keep leaves out of streets, storm drains

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Falling leaves and falling rain together can create a colorful curbside mess. To prevent leaves from clogging catch basin gutters and turning streets into pools, residents of Vancouver and Clark County are again encouraged to take advantage of a free fall leaf disposal program.

The program, which runs through Dec. 20, is available to Vancouver or Clark County residents only. Only leaves -- not other yard debris -- may be disposed of as part of the free program. A leaf coupon is required. Residents will find the coupons in a variety of locations, including at many City of Vancouver offices, in the October Curbside Recycling Newsletter and on the City of Vancouver Solid Waste Services' web site at www.cityofvancouver.us/solidwaste.

Leaf coupons are also available at the designated free leaf disposal sites:

View Comments | Post a Comment

Public hearings coming up for shoreline plan

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 12:01pm

Public hearings coming up for shoreline plan

Here are the details from Clark County:

Two public hearings are scheduled in November for the Board of County Commissioners to consider a proposed shoreline master plan to update an existing plan adopted in 1974. The hearing schedule is:

View Comments | Post a Comment

When, where and how to properly plant a tree

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Monday, October 24th, 2011, 12:57pm

When, where and how to properly plant a tree

Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and Oct. 29 is a great day to learn how during a hands-on Vancouver Urban Forestry TreeTalk Workshop.

This free workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fisher's Landing Neighborhood at 18901 SE 41st Drive. You will have an opportunity to ensure that new trees planted now will thrive for generations to come.

"One of the most common mistakes we see is trees planted too deep," explains Charles Ray, Urban Forester for the City of Vancouver, on why trees die prematurely. "This deprives the tree roots of oxygen," continues Ray, "and causes rot around the trunk of the tree."

Improper planting is one of the leading causes of early decline and death in trees. This workshop is aimed at giving trees a healthy start with proper planting preparations, correct planting depth and post-planting care.

Vancouver Urban Forestry staff will provide demonstrations and answer questions, then work side by side with workshop participants to practice their new skills by planting 38 trees and over 200 shrubs throughout the natural area.

View Comments | Post a Comment