Putting our Discards in their Place

Most of the sorting of waste doesn’t happen out on the curb. It happens in our kitchens, bedrooms, family rooms, home offices and restrooms. Create easy ways to separate waste right where it is generated in the house and increase the chance that things get to the right cart and ultimately to their correct destination. Read more...

The More Master Recyclers the Merrier!

Share this message with your friends: Become a Certified Master Recycler volunteer!

Learn from the experts. Share with your neighbors. Take an eight-week course on the latest information on consumption and recycling. Then, promise to volunteer 30 hours to share what you learned with neighbors, coworkers and community.

WHAT: Clackamas County course and volunteer program
WHEN: Eight consecutive Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. starting on March 30, and two Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm on April 9 and May 7
WHERE: Clackamas County Bldg., 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City
COST: $50 fee
Partial and full scholarships are available without extra application requirements.

Deadline for applications is Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12 pm.

Appreciations

Thank you to the two newest Certified Master Recyclers

Leisa Vandehey (Class 57) knew from the very beginning that she wanted to focus on food waste prevention and so she did- all over the region. She helped the City of Portland debut the new Portland CAN: food waste campaign in outer NE Portland and offered Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge presentations in several locations in Washington County. Leisa also participated in the Northwest Institute's EcoChallenge where she focused on food choices and even brought the movie "Dive" to her workplace as a topic of discussion.

Leah Schrodt (Class 57) brought her thoughtful approach to sharing Master Recycler messages in the Hillsboro and Cornelius area. Leah participated in everything from door-to-door outreach in apartments to presentations with kids on recycling. She also offered a number of presentations for the Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge and joined in at the Repair Fair.

Volunteer Opportunities

Enjoy two premier home and garden shows this month and help promote reuse, salvage and deconstruction while you are at it! The Rebuilding Center needs our help. They have hundreds of hours available to Master Recyclers this Friday-Sunday and in two weeks. This is a great way to pack a bunch of your payback hours into a few weekends.

Also, there are still plenty of spots in the Fix-It Fair on January 23rd and February 20th.

Don’t miss the next Community Recycling Collection event on February 6th.

To see all upcoming events. Visit the Master Recycler Calendar.

Conservation News

Recycling Advocates Volunteer Meeting and Party

Thursday January 28, 7 - 8:30 pm

Recycling Advocates will host our annual gathering to update our members and friends on the activities and latest campaign of the organization at the home of the President of Recycling Advocates, Betty Patton in NE Portland. Join us for wine and snacks and lots of lively conversation.

These events are always fun opportunities to share ideas with like-minded neighbors, and many Master Recyclers will be there.

RSVP: Betty Patton, or call or text 503-358-0496

How to Be an Agent of Change

Five Mondays, 6:00 to 7:45pm – February 22,29, March 7, 14, 20, (break), April 11

A no-cost sustainable leadership course with Dick or Jeanne Roy of the Center for Earth Leadership. Learn a proven framework for putting your Master Recycler skills to work in your immediate community. Make a green impact where you live, work, and play!

There is no charge for the class, but advance registration is required.

Contact: Marnie Bennett, 503-227-2315

Job Opportunities

SCRAP PDX is searching for an energetic, outgoing individual to be our new Education Program Specialist. To learn about this opportunity and others, visit the Job Seekers Board.

Contributions to this month's newsletter include J Lauren Norris, Alicia Polacok and Wing Grabowski.