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? Or want to learn more? Share your enthusiasm and knowledge by becoming a Master Recycler Composter volunteer.

The training happens each September-October with training applications available after June 1st. 

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 consider becoming a Master Recycler Composter volunteer!

For questions 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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2013 FREE Composting Workshops  

Presented by certified Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Volunteers

Directions to Dirt Works Demonstration Garden:

From I-5 take HWY 101 towards Shelton. Get off at Black Lake Blvd. exit and at the bottom of the ramp turn right. Get in your left lane and make a left onto Cooper Point Road. Follow this until you reach Capital Mall Drive. Make a left onto Capital Mall Drive and follow it until you see the Yauger Park and Dirt Works sign on the corner of Alta Street. Turn right onto Alta Street. Follow this road into the park and drive through the parking lot until it ends. The garden entrance is located at the end of the parking lot.

If you use Google Maps or Map Quest place the words “Yauger Park, Olympia WA” into the search box to see an area map.

Directions to Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden:

Located just inside the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center entrance at

2418 Hogum Bay Road in Lacey (Hawk’s Prairie).

From downtown Olympia take I-5 North. Take exit 111, the ramp has two lanes. Stay in the left lane and follow it to the traffic light on Marvin Road. Turn left onto Marvin Road; make sure you are in the right lane. Once you go through the light turn right onto Hogum Bay Road (a Mexican restaurant on this corner).  Take the second road into the Waste and Recovery Center entrance. Look for a small “Closed Loop Park” sign on the fence at that intersection. Follow the road in and the garden is located on the right, just past the dog park.

Directions to Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden:

 Located on the East side of the Market on the North end of Capitol Way in downtown Olympia.  

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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.