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Master Recycler Program
Master Recyclers graduate from District education program
We are pleased to announce that a second class of individuals has graduated from the Cuyahoga County Master Recycler program. Read the press release about the 2014 class of MRs. A photo is at the bottom of this page.
About the program: Education, training, service learning, and reduce, reuse, recycle
The Master Recycler offers participants an in-depth study of solid waste management including waste reduction, composting and recycling. This level of knowledge could only be achieved by working in the solid waste industry. The purpose of this program is to create advocates for recycling that can apply their expanded knowledge to affect habits at home, work and in the community. People interested in the Master Recycler program must apply, be interviewed and accepted and be able to attend four tours and five lectures. A volunteering requirement will also need to be completed to earn the title of Certified Master Recycler of Cuyahoga County.
Goals
• Provide comprehensive training in solid waste management and related sustainability issues.
• Increase overall understanding and participation in all SOLID WASTE DISTRICT programs.
• Improve trainees’ knowledge and skills to advocate for recycling and sustainability in their community and workplace.
• Empower participants to reduce waste.
• Culture productive partnerships with participants.
• Develop volunteer educators that can represent the District and its mission, and provide service learning and volunteer opportunities for participants.
Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District Mission
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District works to support environmentally-sustainable and economical solid waste management practices within the communities, institutions and businesses of Cuyahoga County.
Audience
• 18 years or older or the Solid Waste District will consider a 17 year old with a parent or designated guardian attending with them.
• Residents of Cuyahoga County or individuals working in Cuyahoga County businesses and institutions.
• Students attending college in Cuyahoga County.
Participants Requirements
1. Complete and submit Master Recycler application to Master Recycler Coordinator, Kathleen Rocco at [email protected]. It can also be mailed or dropped off at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, 4750 East 131 Street, Garfield Heights, Ohio 44105. There is no deadline. Applicants should apply by July 15th to ensure an interview for current year’s class.
2. If application is approved, then full payment of course fee is due by the first lecture.
3. Attend 20 hours of Master Recycler training including tours and lectures, and complete knowledge assessments, evaluations and take home assignments.
4. Sign a District waiver form to participate in the program.
5. Complete at least 20 hours of volunteering to graduate from the Master Recycler of Cuyahoga County program.
6. Participants are required to undergo a background check prior to the start of volunteering for the Solid Waste District, since you will be representing the District and working with the public.
7. Let’s celebrate our new volunteer’s accomplishment by attending the Master Recycler graduation/recognition ceremony.
Participants can miss up to one lecture and one field trip. Those missed hours can be made up by attending similar sessions with another organization, attending a workshop or tour offered by the Solid Waste District or doing additional volunteer service. Proof of attendance might be requested by Solid Waste District. Master Recyclers are encouraged to attend a Compost Seminar and Bin Sale, especially if they would like to volunteer for that program.
Course Fee
• Individual - $40
• Guardian and student - $60
• Business/corporate representative – $60
Course fee covers Master Recycler jump drive with education resources and publications, refreshments, miscellaneous supplies and fees and a volunteer t-shirt.
Course Schedule
Program will start in late August 2016. The course will consist of five lecture and four tour sessions for up to 20 hours of education. Lectures will be scheduled in the evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending around 8:30 p.m. to be held at Solid Waste District Office. In order to see businesses in action, tours may be conducted during late afternoon hours. Tours may start at Solid Waste District in order to carpool or may require participants to drive directly to tour locations.
The lecture and tour sessions have been designed; however, we rely on professional’s schedule. Adjustments maybe made for the 2015 program. Master Recycler applicants are welcome to share suggestions of topic areas, speakers and tours.
Lecture Sessions
Lectures will include several related topics and at least one guest speaker or panel of experts.
They will incorporate a warm up activity, active participation in weekly topic and discussion on previous take home actions.
Topics that may be addressed include:
Waste reduction ideas and methods
Material reuse and local programs
Recycling processes, programs and commodities
Waste and history of waste management
Household hazardous waste management and substituting green alternatives
Solid waste management programs and services
Electronics, organics and other specialty recycling
Away from home recycling: event, office, multi-family, business, institutions and school recycling
Manufacturing with recycled content
Marketing and promotion of recycling and recycling programs
Volunteering opportunities
Tours
Tours can be several stops and includes speakers. We may conclude the tour portion by debriefing what we learned or what else the group would like to learn.
Tours may include the following general services:
Landfill and/or transfer station
Material Recycling Facility and/or recycling processor
Organic recycling and/or anaerobic digester
Electronics demanufacturer and recycler
Scrap yard
Reuse based businesses and businesses that have sustainability goals
Course evaluations
Upon completing the Master Recycler Course, all participants will complete a course evaluation. We are open to ideas and thoughts throughout the course to ensure it is meeting the needs of the group.
Service Learning/Volunteering
• Minimum of 20 hours for graduation for the Master Recycler, no maximum.
• Solid Waste District volunteer opportunities can include: office assistance, adult outreach at compost and other seminars, assisting with shred days and other collection and education events, representing Solid Waste District at community events providing information or activity, and wearing the mascot costume for events.
• To fulfill volunteer hours, volunteer opportunities outside of the Solid Waste District program will be allowed, especially if they meet the District’s mission. These opportunities can include volunteer teaching at your church, a youth group or at your child’s school, starting a recycling or waste reduction program at work, church, or associated organization. Any activity that meets the District’s mission and helps similar sustainability focused organization’s such as litter pick up, Zero landfill event, conducting a waste sort or hosting an American Recycles Day event.
• The District anticipates that the majority of volunteer hours be completed following the MR coursework and tours. Volunteer hours are expected to be completed outside of the participant's regular activities and/or duties, including tasks required by your employer. We would like your hours to be above and beyond activities you would do anyway, and encourage experiences that are new or unique to the participant. This can still be done within or outside of your circles or community associations.
Certified Master Recyclers
Congratulations to our MR program graduates! The following people completed 40 hours of education and service to be a Certified Master Recycler:
Class of 2013
Sharon Bair, Cleveland
Christy Bartley, Cleveland
Karen Braun, Westlake
Lenore Collins, Keep It Out of the Landfill (Blog)
Veronica Dickerson, National Park Service
Heather Dougherty, Lakewood
Jennifer Drehner, Baldwin Wallace
Melinda Franco, Cleveland
Heidi Paul, Magnificat High School
Julie Richer, Garfield Heights
Erica Robinson, Famicos Foundation
Janine Robb, Brook Park
Katharyne Starinsky, Shaker Heights
Karen Thailing, Chagrin Falls
Class of 2014
Richard Deem, Fairview Park
Sandy Deem, Fairview Park
Mel Hauser, Berea
Cheryl Johnson, Solon
Cathi Lehn, Mayfield
Kim Mulhall, Middleburg
Brenda O'Reilly, Bay Village
Jane Pierce, Highland Hills
Linda Sadler, Beachwood
Ken Wainwright, Fairview Park
Michelle Wilhelm, Middleburg Hts.
Maureen Wise, Bedford
Tim Zaun, Westlake