Skip navigation
Navigation

Hennepin County, Minnesota

  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Employees
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Residents

    Information and services

    • Residents

      Information and services

      • Conservation
      • COVID-19
      • Elections
      • Emergencies
      • Health and medical
      • Human services
      • Libraries
      • Licenses, certificates and permits
      • Property
      • Public safety and law
      • Recreation
      • Recycling and hazardous waste
      • Transportation
  • Business

    Regulations and opportunities

    • Business

      Regulations and opportunities

      • Conservation
      • Licenses and permits
      • Property
      • Recycling and hazardous waste
      • Work with Hennepin County
  • Your government

    Leadership and engagement

    • Your government

      Leadership and engagement

      • Budget and finance
      • Facilities
      • Get involved
      • Leadership
      • Open government
      • Ordinances
      • Overview
      • Projects and initiatives
      • Research and data
  • Online services

    Transactions and applications

    • Online services

      Transactions and applications

      • Apply
      • Ask
      • Search
      • Pay
      • Report
      • Schedule
      • Learn
Hennepin.us
Search

Related pages

  • Volunteer to protect the environment

Hennepin County > Recycling and hazardous waste > Become a Community Recycling Ambassador

Become a Community Recycling Ambassador

Join fellow waste reduction enthusiasts and inspire others to reduce, reuse and recycle as a Hennepin County Community Recycling Ambassador (formerly known as Master Recycler/Composter)!

Community Recycling Ambassadors (CRAs) are trained on waste prevention, recycling and composting, and effective communication skills through a six-week course, with one class each week, taught by industry experts and community leaders. The training also includes field trips to local waste processing and recycling facilities when possible.

Once training is complete, participants commit to volunteering 30-hours putting their skills to work on projects and activities that minimize waste and provide waste reduction, recycling and composting education. Community Recycling Ambassadors have the flexibility to pursue and create waste-reduction focused volunteer opportunities that interest them and serve their communities’ unique needs.

Upcoming trainings in 2023

Hennepin County will hold two rounds of Community Recycling Ambassador trainings in 2023. The spring 2023 class will be held every Wednesday at 6 - 8 p.m. from February 15 through March 22. This is a hybrid class with the option to join virtually via Zoom or in-person at the Northeast Recreation Center, 1530 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. The application for the spring class is closed.

The summer 2023 class will be held every Thursday at noon - 2 p.m. from June 15 through July 27 (no class on July 6). The class will take place virtually via Zoom. Check back for details or add your email to the notification list at the bottom of this page.

Before applying, please ensure that you meet the following requirements: 

  • You are 18 years of age or older
  • You live and/or work within Hennepin County
  • You are available for all six class sessions
  • You can commit to 30 hours of volunteering after the class completes
  • You have access to internet and a computer or similar device if you plan to attend class virtually
  • Community Recycling Ambassadors media kit (DOCX)

Community Recycling Ambassadors Coordinator, Kaitlin Keller

kaitlin.keller@hennepin.us

Phone: 612-596-6844

Open all
Program details

As a Community Recycling Ambassador, you will support and inspire others in your community to reduce waste, recycle more and compost. You will also gain knowledge from experts, get experience volunteering in the field, and join a large community of volunteers who are enthusiastic about waste reduction and helping others.

Course topics

  • Waste prevention and thoughtful consumption
  • Recycling process and sorting information
  • Organics recycling and home composting
  • Addressing bias and privilege when volunteering
  • Public engagement and the motivating behavior change

This course gives participants the tools and education they need to be successful Community Recycling Ambassador volunteers; no prior knowledge about waste or recycling is required. Hennepin County provides ongoing support, resources and continuing education to volunteers.

Participant commitment

Participants agree to attend all six class dates and to dedicate approximately 1-hour per week of independent study outside of class. Any field trips are optional but highly encouraged.

Participants commit to volunteer 30-hours of public outreach after graduating from the class. When the 30-hour commitment is fulfilled, participants are considered certified Community Recycling Ambassadors and are encouraged to continue their volunteer service.

The commitment to use their newfound knowledge and skills to give back to their community is what makes Community Recycling Ambassador volunteers so special!

Get help from a Community Recycling Ambassador

If you have a project or event that could use Community Recycling Ambassador volunteers, email Kaitlin Keller at kaitlin.keller@hennepin.us.

Applicable volunteer opportunities for Community Recycling Ambassadors can include:

  • Designing and implementing waste reduction and recycling plans
  • Staffing booths and monitoring waste at events
  • Creating educational resources and displays
  • Giving educational talks/presentations to all ages
  • Food rescue activities
Open all

Get updates

Sign up to be notified about future Community Recycling Ambassador courses

Subscribe, Unsubscribe or Change Your Preferences
  • Home
  • Residents
  • Business
  • Your government
  • Online services
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Employees
  • Media
  • Contact

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Accessibility   |   Privacy   |   Open Government   |    Copyright

Hennepin County
Top