Spots Still Available In Dakota County's Master Recycler Program

HASTINGS, MN —Dakota County officials said they are looking for a few more people to sign up for this spring's Master Recycler/Composter Program, an in-person course about waste reduction, recycling and composting.

The six-week course costs $30 and will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday —beginning next week, and lasting until April 19 —at the Dakota County Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road in West St. Paul. There also are optional field trips.

Organizers said the twice-a-year program, which began in 2014, usually has a class of about 15 to 20 people, who learn from a training handbook, fun activities and presentations from local and regional experts.

After completing the course, graduates agree to volunteer 30 hours of public outreach, putting their skills to work by helping others to learn to reduce their waste and create a better environment.

Examples of volunteer opportunities include: staffing informational booths at events, monitoring waste stations at festivals and giving presentations.

"The Master Recycler class not only builds up knowledge in our residents, it also builds a community of curious and caring neighbors," said Jenny Kedward, environmental specialist for Dakota County. "You don't realize your full, positive impact sometimes until you see it multiplied by everyone in the program."

Kedward said that last year, students from the Master Recycler program dedicated more than 550 hours. Since the start of the program in 2014, participants have given nearly 72,000 hours to help reduce waste.

Though the field trips are optional, Kedward said they often are the highlight of the class.

"We hop on a bus together and visit a recycling sorting facility, a landfill, a commercial compost site and the county's household hazardous waste site," Kedward said.

Registration is available online. According to organizers, the class size is limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. All applicants will receive notification of their status in the class and next steps. A waiting list is available should the class fill up.

If you have additional questions about the upcoming class or future classes, or if you have a project or event that could use Master Recycler/Composter volunteers, contact Kedward at jennifer.kedward@co.dakota.mn.us or 952-891-7043.