Master Recycler Composter Program

The Master Recycler Composters of Thurston County is a volunteer service program. The county trains each Master Recycler Composter volunteer on how to become a community educator on solid waste issues such as waste reduction, recycling, and composting within Thurston County.

In exchange for on-going, researched-based, un-biased training, participants agree to volunteer as a community educator to share waste reduction information with the citizens of Thurston County. Master Recycler Composters can participate in a wide range of county waste reduction activities and community events, or work in their own neighborhoods, schools, or workplaces on projects encouraging waste reduction, recycling and composting.

Master Recycler Composter Volunteer Training

Do you love to recycle and/or compost? Share your enthusiasm and knowledge by becoming a Master Recycler Composter volunteer.

The training happens each September/October/November with training applications being available in August.

Five of the evening training sessions will be held at the WSU Thurston County Extension office located in West Olympia. The two Saturday morning classes will include field trips to local composting and recycling venues. Further directions and training details will be given upon acceptance into the program.

We ask that you attend all seven training dates to become a certified Master Recycler Composter volunteer.

A $75 class fee will be collected at the first class. This fee covers all training supplies & field trips.

Volunteer Yearly Service Commitments:

Master Recycler Composter volunteers are asked to give a yearly service commitment. Ample opportunities will be provided at various times to meet individual schedules. 

Master Recycler Composters will be asked to give a minimum of 25 service hours per year

• 20 hours of “your choice” volunteer activities.
• 5 hours of Continuing Education (CE) hours.

20 hours of service can be earned in one or more of numerous Master Recycler Composter program areas.

This could include:

• Community outreach booth opportunities
• Events
• Workshops
• Individual interest projects
• Demonstration Garden Composting
• Waste station staffing
•  Special projects
• Children’s Programming

The 5 continuing education (CE) hours can be earned by: (only a sampling of potential activities)

• Attend educational offerings sponsored by our program. Field trips to Silver Springs, Material Recycling Facilities’s etc.
•  Attend other waste reduction related learning opportunities/festivals within the community and region.
• Read current waste reduction books. (Recycling, composting, reducing your carbon footprint etc.)
• Watch current waste reduction movies. (Check out movies from the Thurston County Solid Waste lending library.)

ACTIVE members will be asked to record all service hours volunteered on a monthly basis via the Volgistics on-line system.

ACTIVE members will be asked to complete and return a Master Recycler Composter Recommitment form on a yearly basis. 

Every other year ACTIVE members will be subject to a Washington state background check.  This is done to protect the public in which we serve as well as the other Master Recycler Composter team members.

If you have a strong desire to learn more about recycling & composting, and are willing to share with others in the community, then apply today to become a Master Recycler Composter volunteer!

Applications for the 2012 Master Recycler Composter volunteer training will be available in  August.  

For questions or to be added to the 2012 class training interest list please contact:

Cori Carlton, Master Recycler Composter Program Manager

360-867-2162 or by e-mail  carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us

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FREE Composting Workshops

We have completed our 2011 workshops but check back here next year for our 2012 workshop schedule.  

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Currently the rest of this site is under construction.  For more information please contact Cori Carlton call 360-867-2162, or e-mail carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us.

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Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.  All programs comply with federal, state, and county regulations.