Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Garbage & Recycling

Talking Trash - Latest news and events

Block Foam Collections Events Are Here!

Recycle your clean, dry block foam, also known as polystyrene or Styrofoam (TM), at the free event being held in our community. Participation is open to residents of Vancouver and Clark County. Washington-licensed cars or pickups only! Participants must wait on site to have materials accepted. No loads larger than what fits in a passenger van, please. Questions? Call Vancouver Solid Waste Services at 360-619-4120. Please note: NO packing peanuts of any type and NO polyurethane foam can be accepted at these events.

• Saturday, Sept 4, 2010: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Clark College Yellow 1 Parking Lot, Fort Vancouver Way., Vancouver
• Saturday, Oct 2, 2010: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fishers Landing Transit Center, 3510 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver          

Keeping up with the changes - Heard the news about electronics?

As of Jan. 1, Waste Connections is prohibited from accepting computers, monitors, TVs and laptops. The restrictions are the result of a new Oregon law banning the landfilling of old electronic equipment. Because the landfill that serves Clark County is located in Oregon, the law applies indirectly here, too. However, you can still get rid of old televisions, computers and monitors for free, thanks to a Washington law requiring manufacturers to underwrite a statewide electronics recycling program.

Visit www.ecyclewashington.org.

You can also visit the Empower Up website at www.upgradeyourcommunity.org. 

How's the Weather?

Severe weather can whip up a number of garbage and recycling related issues. Here are some tips and facts that you should know:

• When strong, high winds are forecast, please do not put out garbage and recycling until the morning of collection, if possible. You'll avoid having containers tipped over, and your neighbors will thank you, too! Just remember to have your items at the curb in the morning, when pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. 
• Downed limbs and trees on private property are the responsibility of the private property owner. Resources for yard debris may be found here.
• City of Vancouver Operations Center crews respond to trees and limbs that fall into the street and block traffic. You can use our online Service Request to report non-emergency Public Works requests, including street maintenance, traffic signals, parks and other City facilities, water, sewer, and drainage issues. For Vancouver Public Works 24-hour emergency service requests, please call 360-693-9302.
• Get more information here about inclement weather and its potential impact on garbage and recycling collections.  
• To learn more about how Public Works prioritizes street maintenance in severe weather and to learn more about how you can protect pipes from freezing, help prevent street flooding, get tips for travel, sign up for Public Works Severe Weather updates and more, please visit www.cityofvancouver.us/severeweather.
• To learn about protecting trees, hiring a tree care professional or meeting the city's requirements, please visit our Urban Forestry site.

2008 Annual Report 

You can now view Vancouver's Solid Waste Services Annual Report for 2008 here.

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