WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteers

The WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteers received a Public Participation Grant from the Department of Ecology to help our community practice waste reduction by supporting a repair economy. They will be kicking off a main component of this project on July 13: the MRC Tool Bucket Library at the Floral Park Sustainability Project in Centralia. The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the event, visitors can learn more about the Tool Library, apply for a membership, and learn about donating to the project and volunteering.

The Tool Library is just like a regular library, but with tools instead of books! The MRC Tool Bucket Library will provide free or low-cost access to shared tools and other durable goods and encourages self-reliance, re-use, repair, and reduced consumption.

Here is a brochure that explains more about the MRC Tool Bucket Library.

Residents can borrow tools they might only need to use once or twice a year, instead of every family purchasing tools they will use infrequently and storing them (or the fact that there are families that might not be able to afford the tools).

Visitors to the event will also have the opportunity to explore the MRC Volunteers' Floral Park Sustainability Project.

Please click here for a schedule of both WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) and Master Gardener workshops scheduled for 2024.

Earth Day is EVERY day for Environmental Superheros! Do you want to improve the environment and save money by reducing landfill waste? Do you have questions about what can and can't be recycled? How to make and use compost? How to deal with hazardous waste and what safer alternatives are available? This 8-week Zoom series will run on Thursday evenings from April 11 through May 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be taught by WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composters and guests who will answer those questions and more and will give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to be an Environmental Superhero! Topics will include residential and worm composting, understanding and improving soils, reducing food and consumer waste, living a "green" lifestyle, and more. This series is open to everyone and required to become a WSU Certified Master Recycler Composter volunteer (AKA: Environmental Superhero). In-person tours of the Central Transfer Station and the Floral Park Sustainability Project will demonstrate how solid waste is disposed of, recycled, reused, and composted. Zoom links will be sent to registrants within 2 weeks of the course. For more information about the MRC program, visit https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/solid-waste/volunteer/wsu-lewis-county-master-recycler-composter-volunteers/.

Repair & Sustainability Fairs: The WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteers will host a Repair & Sustainability Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 the SWFT Center at Centralia College. Two previous events were held this year, one in Morton and one in Centralia. At these events volunteer fixers repairs numerous items, including throw pillows, ripped pants, sweaters, sewing machine, lawn mower, chain saw, a lamp. They also diagnosed mechanical issues with leaf blowers, stand mixers, and chain saws. They sharpened knives, garden tools and saw blades.

Make plans to attend the Sept. 21 event! Or, if you are handy at fixing broken items, contact us and help repair items as a volunteer fixer!

If you have something around your home that needs to be fixed, don't throw it out and bury it in the landfill forever. Bring it to this event. Volunteers will be on hand to do their best to make the repairs and teach you how to do it in the process. Some community members will also be on-site offering demonstrations, so you can learn and improve your knowledge as a do-it-yourselfer.

Repairs will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The fixer volunteers will try their best to help you repair the item, or give you recommendations on next steps, but there are no guarantees. Please click here for a list of FAQs about Repair & Sustainability Fairs.

There will a "Stuff Swap" table of gently used items that people can take home, and activities will be available for kids.

For more information please call Jason Adams, coordinator for the WSU Lewis County MRC Program, at 360-740-1216 or email jason.adams@lewiscountywa.gov.

The Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteer Program is a collaboration between Washington State University Extension and the Lewis County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division. The MRCs are volunteers who care about the environment, Lewis County and its citizens. Please click here to read a volunteer job description. MRC Volunteers are passionate about the following topics, and enjoy:

• Recycling and composting
• Re-using or re-purposing items
• Reducing food waste
• Raising community awareness about environmental issues
• Volunteering at special events, such as Christmas Tree Recycling

MRC volunteers are trained on how to reduce waste and increase public awareness about reducing, recycling, and composting in Lewis County. Volunteers agree to give back 25 hours of annual service and complete five hours of continuing education each year. Learn more at this link to the MRC Training Brochure. If you are interested in becoming an MRC volunteer, please fill out the membership application at this link.

Contact the WSU Lewis County Extension Office:

• Office Address: 17 SW Cascade Ave., Chehalis, WA 98532
• Mailing Address: Lewis County Historic County Courthouse, 351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532
• Contact Person: Jason Adams, program coordinator
• Phone Number: 360-740-1216
• Email: jason.adams@lewiscountywa.gov, swu@lewiscountywa.gov

Floral Street Sustainability Park is a project being developed by WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter and Master Gardener volunteers. It is located at the corner of Floral Street and South Tower Avenue in Centralia. Please click here for a brochure that describes the planned development and goals for the park. Volunteers plan to host workshops and classes on waste reduction, composting, chemical-free gardening, and related topics. For more information, please call 360-740-1216 or email jason.adams@lewiscountywa.gov.