Clark County reports 2025 north‑county HHW events: about 700 vehicles and 40 tons collected

Clark County staff presented results from three spring north‑county household hazardous waste (HHW) events and said the program served about 700 vehicles and collected approximately 78,000 pounds of HHW across La Center, Ridgefield and Yacolt.

Tatum Flowers, solid waste operations specialist, said the three free Saturday events targeted residents who live far from fixed HHW facilities. Ridgefield recorded the largest turnout with about 335 vehicles; La Center and Yacolt recorded about 200 and 155 vehicles respectively. Combined, the events collected about 78,000 pounds (approximately 39 short tons), which equates to an average of roughly 112 pounds per vehicle across the three events.

Flowers said paint and paint‑related materials were the largest single category, representing roughly half the weight collected at these events. Other commonly collected items included household cleaners (ammonia/cleaners), motor oil, lead‑acid batteries and pesticides. Staff provide participants with an outreach packet describing drop‑off options and year‑round handling, and the events are carried out under a county contract with a licensed HHW collector (Advanced Chemical Transport, ACT) for safe handling and disposal.

Flowers said Ridgefield’s expanded service area — the county moved the site and added unincorporated Ridgefield to the event footprint this year — likely helped increase participation there. Staff also noted that increased outreach to multifamily complexes contributed to higher turnout.

Staff said wait times were generally low, contractor staffing was adequate, and traffic control was handled by county and contractor staff. Flowers asked SWAC members for feedback on how to expand or improve the events and shared that the county plans to continue the three‑site model in 2026 with translated materials and further multifamily outreach.