Deadline nears for free King County Master Recycler Composter program

Applications due by Feb. 3 and seven-week training begins Feb. 10 in Kent

There is still time to sign up for free King County training that teaches participants how to “master” their garbage.

The King County Solid Waste Division’s Master Recycler Composter program offers a seven-week course on waste prevention, recycling, composting, household hazardous waste disposal and the impacts of solid waste on climate change.

Courses are offered because more than half of what comes to King County’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill as “garbage” is actually recyclable material, said Karen May, program manager for the Solid Waste Division.

“Master recycler composters serve as front-line ambassadors in their communities in our ongoing efforts to cut waste and improve recycling rates,” May said, adding that the 600-plus trained volunteers who have taken the course since its inception in 1990 have provided more than 23,000 hours of service.

The Master Recycler Composter program training is open to all King County residents living outside the City of Seattle. In exchange for the free training, program graduates are expected to volunteer 40 hours of outreach in their communities, focusing on recycling and waste reduction topics. 

The program seeks outgoing, engaging individuals who want to actively encourage waste reduction and recycling behaviors through public outreach opportunities planned by county staff.

Training sessions run from Feb. 10 through March 24 at the Kent Centennial Center, 400 W. Gowe St. in Kent. Sessions are set for Thursday evenings, from 6:30-9 p.m. Two Saturday sessions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be a part of the training. Field trips featuring tours and workshops are set for Feb. 12 and March 5.

People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The training site is wheelchair accessible and reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

For more information or to obtain an application for the training, visit www.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/mrc/index or contact May at 206-296-4353, or karen.may@kingcounty.gov.