Master Composter Volunteer Program
Want to learn
to leave
"less mess for
the future?" 
Become a Master Composter/Recycler!
Then, you can help others understand the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling, to ensure a sustainable future for our county!
Washington State University Extension trains volunteers who then provide advice and leadership about resource conservation throughout the county. Volunteers receive 35 hours of free training. In return, as payment for this training, each volunteer commits 40 hours of volunteer time involved with educational outreach projects during that year.
The next basic training classes are scheduled to start March 19, 2008, and will be held at the Whatcom County Extension meeting room, 1000 North Forest Street, Bellingham.
There will be seven classroom sessions held on Wednesday evenings, March 19 - April 30, 2008, 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will also be five sessions spent on field trips and hands-on experience. The dates and times for these events will be announced during the classes.
The six classroom sessions covers:
- decomposition of organic materials,
- fundamentals of composting,
- composting with the help of earthworms,
- making a worm bin, recycling, and
- how to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Trainees receive materials and publications to supplement the instructions. At the end of the training, the trainees will receive a certificate of qualification and a Master Recycler Composter badge.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Volunteer activities include:
- helping maintain demonstration site,
- giving home-composting and recycling presentations,
- staffing a booth at the Northwest Washington Fair,
- designing displays for a variety of events,
- helping neighborhoods to set up home composting projects in their own areas.
Or any other compost/recycling ideas they can think of.
WHATCOM COUNTY MASTER RECYCLER COMPOSTER
Whatcom County established its first training session in 1990. Since then, many people have become Master Recycler Composter volunteers providing educational assistance to the community.
The objectives are:
1. To recycle home generated components of the waste stream in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
2. Reduce illegal disposal and burning of home generated waste.
3. Reduce the home usage of commercial nitrogen fertilizers and thereby protect water quality.
4.Increase long term commitment to home composting by demonstrating the most effective home composting designs.
5.Establish a volunteer home composting recycling education program, utilizing the Washington State University Cooperative Extension "Master" volunteer program.
HOW TO ENROLL
The only requirements to become a Master Recycler Composter volunteer are the interest to learn the basics of home composting and home recycling, and a willingness to share that knowledge with others.
All ages and levels of experience are welcome. The Master Recycler Composter Program provides a rewarding and enriching experience, not only for the volunteer, but also for the people they help.
For more information and an application call the Cooperative Extension Office at 676-6736 or fill out our on-line application: (click here) WSU / Whatcom County Cooperative Extension, 1000 North Forest St., Suite 201, Bellingham, WA 98225-5594
Accommodations for applicants who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act are available upon request.
MASTER RECYCLER COMPOSTERS CAN BE CONTACTED THROUGH
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY / WHATCOM COUNTY EXTENSION
1000 NORTH FOREST STREET
BELLINGHAM WA 98225-5594TELEPHONE: 360/676-6736
Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.