Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter Recycler program is offering a free training this winter for people interested in becoming program volunteers. Anyone interested in composting and recycling, and who wants to be part of a community working toward a sustainable future should consider becoming a Master Composter Recycler volunteer.

The free training provides volunteers with the tools and knowledge to build a hot compost pile, tend a worm bin, clean with green cleaners, and reduce waste. Volunteers are asked to share what they learn by completing community service… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – The Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site will open to the public at 9 am Tuesday and offer free testing five days per week.

The site will feature drive-thru and walk-up testing and is available at no cost to everyone, regardless of income level, health insurance coverage or immigration status. Testing at the site is recommended for people ages 4 and older who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The testing site will operate 9 am to 3:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday in the Tower… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is teaming up with the nonprofit Medication Education & Disposal Project (MED-Project) to provide free disposal of expired, unwanted or unused medicine safely and conveniently. 

MED-Project provides residents with convenient, year-round medicine drop-off locations, such as pharmacies, medical facilities and law enforcement offices. In addition to its existing operational programs in several Washington counties, MED-Project has activated more than 150 additional drop-off sites across the state and has plans to add more sites.… Read More

After the holiday festivities end, Clark County Public Health urges residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than sending them to the landfill.

Before trees are recycled, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be placed in the garbage.

Waste Connections will pick up trees from customers with yard debris or organics collection or regular garbage service available in most parts of the county. Trees taller than 5 feet must be cut into smaller sections no longer than 5 feet, regardless… Read More

A new state vital records law that changes the ordering requirements for birth and death certificates goes into effect on Jan. 1.

The last day to submit 2020 birth and death certificate orders is Dec. 29. This deadline is to ensure all orders placed in 2020 are completed before the new law goes into effect. Orders placed on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 will be returned. All orders placed in 2021 must meet the requirements of the new law.

Beginning Jan. 1, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the record being requested – birth or death certificate – can… Read More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week announced options for shortening the recommended 14-day quarantine for people exposed to COVID-19. The Washington State Department of Health adopted those options, and Clark County Public Health and other health departments across Southwest Washington are also adopting the options for people who do not live or work in high-priority settings.

The CDC, state Department of Health and Clark County Public Health continue to recommend that people who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 quarantine… Read More

During the holiday festivities, Clark County Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach encourages people to take steps to reduce their holiday waste.

Household waste in the U.S. increases by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Trash cans fill up with holiday food waste, shopping bags, bows and ribbons, packaging, and wrapping paper that contribute an additional 1 million tons a week to our landfill. But by taking a few simple steps to reduce, reuse and recycle, the holiday season can be a little greener.

The holidays may look different this year, with… Read More

Clark County’s Green Business program is hosting a virtual event on Dec. 8 for businesses to learn about the upcoming statewide plastic bag ban.

Beginning in 2021, single-use plastic carryout bags will be prohibited, and a fee will be charged for approved carryout bags at all retail, grocery and convenience stores. The ban also applies to restaurants offering takeout or delivery food or goods.

Shannon Jones, a materials management coordinator with the Washington Department of Ecology, will explain the purpose of the ban, the timeline for implementation, and the requirements… Read More

The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for two volunteer positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

One position represents north Clark County, and the other represents the county at-large. Applicants for the north Clark County position must live north of 179th Street or the extension thereof. The three-year terms begin Jan. 1, 2021. Upon expiration of a term, a member can apply again. There is no limit on how many terms a member can serve.

The commission advises the county council on solid waste issues, such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills,… Read More

Clark County Public Health continues to work through an influx of COVID-19 cases. Last week, more than 1,100 COVID-19 cases were reported in Clark County.

Last week, Public Health announced it was modifying its COVID-19 response to prioritize interviewing cases and identifying priority locations where exposures may have occurred. Public Health continues to work closely with priority locations, which include schools, long-term care facilities, the jail and food processing facilities, to prevent… Read More