Jackson County Master Recyclers - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can become a Master Recycler volunteer?

Any resident of Jackson County can become a Master Recycler. The class is made up of community members, professionals, teachers, retirees, parents, young adults, public officials, and City staffers, along with lots of residents and business representatives who want to learn to reduce waste.

You can find Master Recycler volunteers locally at Jackson County Administrator’s Office, Grange Co-op, Rogue Creamery, Crater High School, Trans-Link, RVMC, the Rogue Valley Growers Market, and more.

Find them serving as ambassadors of waste reduction at workplaces, schools, churches, community events, and meetings across the County.
I already know how to recycle, what else is there to learn?

Learning what goes into a recycle bin is only one piece of the course. The Master Recycler training covers a wide range of topics about recycling and waste disposal processes (including plastics, electronics, and more), hazardous waste avoidance, composting and vermicomposting, tips for reusing items, the local solid waste infrastructure/facilities, and waste prevention. The 11-week course includes weekly presentations from local and regional experts, an extensive training manual, discussion-based classes, and techniques for community outreach. Field trips to relevant sites include the regional landfill, composting facility, waste-to-energy plant, wastewater treatment plant and metal recycler. The Master Recycler training program focuses on both education and community service.
How do Master Recyclers spend their volunteer time?

To become a Master Recycler, participants are required to invest at least 40 hours of volunteer service to graduate. Together they contribute at least 1,400 hours of service annually towards waste reduction in Jackson County.

Here are some of the ways Master Recyclers may earn service hours:
- Community Events Recycling: Master Recycler volunteers team up to support Jackson County SMARTWorks’ recycling efforts at community events, such as Pear Blossom Festival, Talent Harvest Festival, Jackson County Fair, Eagle Point July 4th and Rogue Valley Earth Day. In 2011, Master Recyclers staffed over 40 community events, facilitating the recycling of plastic water bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard and other materials.
- Special Solid-Waste Events: Master Recyclers help Jackson County Recycling Partnership to host special solid waste events, like the Jackson County Plastic Round-up, where in 2011, volunteers helped to direct nearly 30 tons of plastic “waste” to be recycled!
- Skills and Talents: Master Recyclers share personal and professional skills in a wide variety of ways, including construction, sewing, graphic design, editing, hospitality, painting, welding, administrative support, event planning and much more.
- Community Education and Outreach: Volunteers help to build awareness and implement waste diversion strategies in our community – in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, places of worship, clubs and organizations. Volunteers often staff display tables at events to distribute information, they post fliers in their community, and use word-of-mouth and e-communication to reach and teach others about creating less wasteful lifestyles.
- Adopt-A-Schools: Volunteers partner with Jackson County SMARTWorks to provide long-term continuity to schools with existing recycling programs, as well as helping other schools to develop new recycling programs. Some volunteers are trained to lead classroom presentations and activities.
When do you have to have your hours completed?

Master Recyclers have from March when the training begins until December of the same year to complete 40 service hours. The volunteer graduation and awards celebration is generally held in early December.
Why is there a fee for the class?

Program fees directly support the infrastructure and needs of the program. The Master Recycler coordinator is happy to accommodate participants who require a payment plan or other financial options.
How is the Master Recycler class supported?

The Jackson County Master Recycler program is supported the Jackson County Recycling Partnership (JCRP).

Learn more:
Jackson County Recycling Partnership
The Master Recycler program is funded entirely and advised by JCRP, a consortium of governments and waste haulers formed to address County-wide solid waste issues and to sponsor waste education programs for area citizens. JCRP holds quarterly meetings, with attendance from other solid-waste related organizations and businesses encouraged.
When and where is the Master Recycler training held?

The 2012 training will be held on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-8:30pm at the Mace Building at the Jackson County Expo Fairgrounds, 1 Peninger Road, Central Point.
Where do I go for more information or to get an application?

Click here for a printable version of the 2012 application form.
Email the Master Recycler coordinator.
What happens once I have completed the training and my service hours?

The saying goes, “Once a Master Recycler, always a Master Recycler”…but you are asked to take some steps to maintain this prestigious title! Each year you should plan to earn 10 hours by completing volunteer service and/or by attending solid waste related classes, workshops or events. We will stay in touch with you to keep you posted on opportunities for involvement, as well as to keep you current on the latest industry news and “must knows,” so that you can accurately share information throughout our community.
Why should I become a Master Recycler?

By becoming a knowledgeable ambassador of waste reduction, you can help to affect positive change that has both short-term gains and long-term benefits. You will be helping to reduce waste in real time, but also helping to build an ethic of conservation among people of all ages. Plus, you will have lots of fun meeting a wide variety of people who are interested in sustainability, and you will become part of a growing community of Master Recyclers who enjoy sharing Zero Waste meals and stories of our waste diversion adventures together.


	What is a Master Recycler? Becoming a Master Recycler 2012 Online Application What do Master Recyclers do? FAQ News & Events ReSource Newsletter Partners Jackson County Recycling Partnership Jackson County SMARTWorks Contact Us MR Login		Frequently Asked Questions Who can become a Master Recycler volunteer? Any resident of Jackson County can become a Master Recycler. The class is made up of community members, professionals, teachers, retirees, parents, young adults, public officials, and City staffers, along with lots of residents and business representatives who want to learn to reduce waste. You can find Master Recycler volunteers locally at Jackson County Administrator’s Office, Grange Co-op, Rogue Creamery, Crater High School, Trans-Link, RVMC, the Rogue Valley Growers Market, and more. Find them serving as ambassadors of waste reduction at workplaces, schools, churches, community events, and meetings across the County. I already know how to recycle, what else is there to learn? Learning what goes into a recycle bin is only one piece of the course. The Master Recycler training covers a wide range of topics about recycling and waste disposal processes (including plastics, electronics, and more), hazardous waste avoidance, composting and vermicomposting, tips for reusing items, the local solid waste infrastructure/facilities, and waste prevention. The 11-week course includes weekly presentations from local and regional experts, an extensive training manual, discussion-based classes, and techniques for community outreach. Field trips to relevant sites include the regional landfill, composting facility, waste-to-energy plant, wastewater treatment plant and metal recycler. The Master Recycler training program focuses on both education and community service. How do Master Recyclers spend their volunteer time? To become a Master Recycler, participants are required to invest at least 40 hours of volunteer service to graduate. Together they contribute at least 1,400 hours of service annually towards waste reduction in Jackson County. Here are some of the ways Master Recyclers may earn service hours: Community Events Recycling: Master Recycler volunteers team up to support Jackson County SMARTWorks’ recycling efforts at community events, such as Pear Blossom Festival, Talent Harvest Festival, Jackson County Fair, Eagle Point July 4th and Rogue Valley Earth Day. In 2011, Master Recyclers staffed over 40 community events, facilitating the recycling of plastic water bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard and other materials. Special Solid-Waste Events: Master Recyclers help Jackson County Recycling Partnership to host special solid waste events, like the Jackson County Plastic Round-up, where in 2011, volunteers helped to direct nearly 30 tons of plastic “waste” to be recycled! Skills and Talents: Master Recyclers share personal and professional skills in a wide variety of ways, including construction, sewing, graphic design, editing, hospitality, painting, welding, administrative support, event planning and much more. Community Education and Outreach: Volunteers help to build awareness and implement waste diversion strategies in our community – in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, places of worship, clubs and organizations. Volunteers often staff display tables at events to distribute information, they post fliers in their community, and use word-of-mouth and e-communication to reach and teach others about creating less wasteful lifestyles. Adopt-A-Schools: Volunteers partner with Jackson County SMARTWorks to provide long-term continuity to schools with existing recycling programs, as well as helping other schools to develop new recycling programs. Some volunteers are trained to lead classroom presentations and activities. When do you have to have your hours completed? Master Recyclers have from March when the training begins until December of the same year to complete 40 service hours. The volunteer graduation and awards celebration is generally held in early December. Why is there a fee for the class? Program fees directly support the infrastructure and needs of the program. The Master Recycler coordinator is happy to accommodate participants who require a payment plan or other financial options. How is the Master Recycler class supported? The Jackson County Master Recycler program is supported the Jackson County Recycling Partnership (JCRP). Learn more: Jackson County Recycling Partnership The Master Recycler program is funded entirely and advised by JCRP, a consortium of governments and waste haulers formed to address County-wide solid waste issues and to sponsor waste education programs for area citizens. JCRP holds quarterly meetings, with attendance from other solid-waste related organizations and businesses encouraged. When and where is the Master Recycler training held? The 2012 training will be held on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-8:30pm at the Mace Building at the Jackson County Expo Fairgrounds, 1 Peninger Road, Central Point. Where do I go for more information or to get an application? Click here for a printable version of the 2012 application form. Email the Master Recycler coordinator. What happens once I have completed the training and my service hours? The saying goes, “Once a Master Recycler, always a Master Recycler”…but you are asked to take some steps to maintain this prestigious title! Each year you should plan to earn 10 hours by completing volunteer service and/or by attending solid waste related classes, workshops or events. We will stay in touch with you to keep you posted on opportunities for involvement, as well as to keep you current on the latest industry news and “must knows,” so that you can accurately share information throughout our community. Why should I become a Master Recycler? By becoming a knowledgeable ambassador of waste reduction, you can help to affect positive change that has both short-term gains and long-term benefits. You will be helping to reduce waste in real time, but also helping to build an ethic of conservation among people of all ages. Plus, you will have lots of fun meeting a wide variety of people who are interested in sustainability, and you will become part of a growing community of Master Recyclers who enjoy sharing Zero Waste meals and stories of our waste diversion adventures together.