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Master Recycler Program

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Recycle Guide

Oregon State University Recycling 101 Class Advertisement
Can't attend the live class?
Take Recycling 101!

This ONLINE Certificate class is noncredit, self-paced, and available in English and Spanish. Recycling 101 provides a comprehensive in-depth look at waste and recycling in Oregon. It is deigned to give citizens a broad understanding of what is recyclable and why; give businesses and local governments a training option for sustainability goals, and career seekers a skill to add to their resume.

Master Recycler Program

  • Comprehensive, informative, and fun
  • quote: The information provided has already changed my life
  • quote: I loved seeing places that I knew nothing about.
  • quote: The class is a tremendous tool to educate oneself on environmental issues and how to begin to make a change and make a difference.
​Marion County Master Recyclers Logo

​Course Curriculum

Master Recycler training includes over 30 hours of ​instruction. Classes are taught by local experts in solid waste from business, government and non profit sectors.

​Community Outreach

After completing the training, participants undertake 30 hours of community "payback" through independent projects and outreach events. Over 750 people have participated in the program, volunteering more than 8,000 hours throughout Marion County. The following list is not comprehensive and many Master Recyclers develop their own "self-contained" projects.

  • Create projects that focus on waste prevention and recycling at work, home, school, in their place of worship, and in the community.

  • Educate the public on the hazards of and alternatives to common household chemicals.

  • Speak to groups about recycling and reducing waste at home and work.

  • Distribute information at annual events.

  • Volunteer to educate the community at Earth Day and other local events and festivals.

  • Work with schools, scout groups, and others to help improve their recycling programs.

  • Lead tours of the recycling center.​ 

Sign up for the notification list to stay informed.
PDFBrochure​

Do you want to:  ​

• Learn how to reduce your waste?​
• Conserve natural resources?
• Motivate others to change their habits?
• Make a difference?​
• Meet people with similar interests?

The Waste Matters Newsletter is a monthly publication that is sent to all Master Recyclers. It contains lots of current information related to waste reduction, recycling, green building, and other topics. 

 
 
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 ​The comprehensive Master Recycler training includes:
  • Overview of solid waste in Marion County
  • Collection, transfer and disposal
  • The Recycling Process
  • What can be recycled
  • Source separation
  • How recyclables are collected
  • Processing
  • Manufacturing with recycled materials
  • Waste Reduction
  • Consumption
  • Packaging
  • How to get started
  • Home Composting
  • The life of a compost heap
  • Composting systems and bins
  • Compost uses
  • Food waste composting using vermiculture (worm bins)
  • Closing the Loop
  • Buying Recycled
  • Household Hazardous Waste & alternatives
  • Master Recycler Community Outreach

Join the Master Recycler Program to help make our community a better one! Sign up to receive information on future classes.

Environmental Services

Marion County Public Works
5155 Silverton Road NE
Salem, OR 97305
(503) 365-3188 ​​ | environmentalservices@co.marion.or.us