About this Course:

This certification program is open to enrolled volunteers only. The Agency will provide 20 hours of free professional development training in the form of ten 2- hour sessions. Following this training course, volunteers are asked to complete 20 service hours per year. Interested persons should review the official Volunteer Description for more information. Then, complete a Volunteer Application and indicate they’d like to work towards this Certification program. Participants must complete all classes in this series to receive MCR certification.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 17th 2024

Course Details:

Session 1: Monday 06/03
MCR Orientation

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

• Intro to UCRRA’s History, Mission, and Overview of Programs & Services
• What happens to our waste in Ulster County?
• Understanding the waste-climate connection
• Intro to the Recycling Outreach Team
• Volunteering with Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency

Session 2: Wednesday 06/05
Recycle Right!

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

• How to recycle in Ulster County
• What happens at the UCRRA MRF?
• What items can be recycled?
• What is wishcycling?
• Best practices for recycling (at Schools, Offices, Special Events, etc.)
• Ulster County Mandatory Recycling Law
• Other Special recycling programs

Session 3: Friday 06/07
Plastic Pollution & It’s Impacts

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Tanesia White, UCRRA Recycling Educator and Michael Darcy, Environmental Outreach Manager for the Ulster County Department of the Environment

• What is plastic and how is it made?
• What is the scale of plastic production and pollution?
• What are the impacts of Litter, Marine Plastic, Microplastics, and Environmental Justice
• What Local Laws reduce plastic waste in Ulster County?
• How can we reduce plastic waste in our lives and communities?

Session 4:  Monday 06/10
Household Hazardous Waste & Eco Friendly Alternatives

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Wesley Baxter, PaintCare NY Program Coordinator, and Tanesia White, UCRRA Recycling Educator

• What is Household Hazardous Waste?
• Intro to UCRRA HHW Program
• Paint Care NY Product Stewardship Program
• Other local options for HHW disposal
• What are safer alternatives to HHW?
• Eco-Friendly Home Demonstration

Session 5: Wednesday 06/12
Intro to Home Composting

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

• Exploring the science of composting
• How to compost in Ulster County
• What items can be composted?
• Balancing browns & greens
• Importance of air & moisture
• Comparing compost bins & methods
• Benefits and uses of finished compost
• Intro to soil health

Session 6:  Friday 06/14
Advanced Composting Topics

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Tanesia White, UCRRA Recycling Educator and Michael Darcy, Environmental Outreach Manager for the Ulster County Department of the Environment

• Indoor composting methods (Bokashi, Vermicomposting)
• Local & State Composting Laws
• Industrial Scale Composting at the UCRRA Organics Recovery Facility
• UCRRA Partners in Composting Program

Session 7: Monday 06/17

Leadership Seminar

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Tanesia White, UCRRA Recycling Educator

• Strategies for effective outreach and education
• Strengthening communication & Learning
• Teaching tips
• Working with youth
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Session 8: Tuesday 06/18

UCRRA Policies You Need to Know!

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Amy Lopiano, UCRRA Chief Accounting Clerk

Session 9:  *Thursday 06/20 10AM-12PM
Tour the UCRRA or Special Projects Day 1 TBD

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

Session 10:  Wednesday 06/26
Special Projects  (MCR Topics of Interest)

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

Accessibility: These classes will be held indoors at the UCRRA Main Office, except for the facility tour date noted in the schedule which will be an outdoor walking tour. Accessible parking is available approximately 20 feet from the main entrance (please note there are no automatic doors at this building). Accessible, gender neutral bathrooms are available. Use of face masks are not required indoors, but may be encouraged. We strive to offer equal program opportunities to the best of our capabilities. Please contact Angelina Brandt, Director of Sustainability, at  APEO@UCRRA.ORG or 845-336-3336 to discuss any accommodations.