WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter Volunteers

Please click here for a schedule of both WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) and Master Gardener workshops scheduled for 2023.

Lewis County Master Recycler Composters would love you to become a Superhero for the environment! They are offering the first part in their volunteer training series with a three-part workshop on Feb. 25 at the Chehalis Timberland Library. Know Your Recyclables at 10 a.m. will cover what can and cannot be recycled in Lewis County recycling programs; Living a Zero Waste Lifestyle at 11 a.m. will share simple ways to reduce waste, save money and prevent waste from happening in the first place; Save Money, Save Food at 12 p.m. will educate participants about reducing the amount of food that is wasted in the U.S. and how to save money by shopping smart, storing food properly and using leftovers. Community members interested in these topics can plan to attend all three workshops as their first step in becoming a volunteer for the environment, or they can just pop in for the specific class that interests them. Because space is limited, however, organizers do ask that you pre-register to reserve your spot by calling 360-740-1216 or emailing jason.adams@lewiscountywa.gov.

Please call 360-740-1216 or email jason.adams@lewiscountywa.gov to sign up to attend these classes in-person. During 2021, volunteers offered several on-line classes via Zoom. Those classes were recorded, and posted on YouTube. Here is a link that will take you to the recordings.

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.