For the Reporter
Learn what materials are accepted in curbside composting and recycling, and how to keep edible food from going to waste, with the King County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteer training in Kent.
Now in its 26th year, the training series includes three mandatory classroom sessions on Saturdays – from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 4, 11 and 25, with an optional field trip April 16 to a recycling facility and King County’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill.
“While most King County residents recycle, still more than three quarters of what ends up in the county’s landfill could have been recycled or composted,” said Karen May, Master Recycler Composter program coordinator. “This training will give participants the tools to help people prevent waste, recycle more and save money.”
Program participants will:
• See firsthand how the solid waste stream and management systems work.
• Learn what materials can be recycled or composted at curbside.
• Discover food waste prevention tactics, such as smart shopping, storage and preparation.
• Learn about the impacts solid waste has on climate change.
• Practice effective public outreach and education skills that can be used in a variety of settings.
The 2015 MRC training series will be at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. Once the training series has been completed, participants can attend free ongoing learning opportunities, such as recycling facility field trips and composting workshops. Training is open to all King County adult residents living outside the cities of Seattle and Milton.
In exchange for the free training, MRC program graduates commit to volunteer 25 hours for public outreach opportunities planned by county employees.
Master Recycle Composter volunteers participate in diverse environments, including tabling at farmer’s markets and community festivals, providing outreach to encourage sustained behavior change in residents of their own communities, and helping their neighborhood school maintain a cafeteria waste sorting station. Most outreach occurs on weekends and many events will take place in south King County.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The training site is wheelchair accessible and reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Please provide two weeks’ notice prior to the training if a sign language interpreter is needed.
Want to learn more? An informational session is set for March 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Renton Highlands Neighborhood Center, 800 Edmonds Ave. NE, Renton. King County program employees and past workshop participants will provide a preview of the training series and be available to answer any questions. Please RSVP at kingcountymrc@seattletilth.org.
The Master Recycler Composter program is a King County program that is managed by Seattle Tilth. Applications are due March 14. For more information, or to obtain an application for the training, visit your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/mrc/index.asp; kingcountymrc@seattletilth.org; or call 206-633-0451, ext. 120.
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