2025 Master Composter Master Recycler Certification Course
June 3 @ 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
2025 Master Composter Master Recycler
Volunteer Training & Certification Program
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays in June
UCRRA Main Office, 999 Flatbush Road Kingston NY
* alternate dates: Session 9 noted below*
About this Course:
This certification program is open to enrolled volunteers only. The Agency will provide 25 hours of free professional development training in the form of ten 2.5 – 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: Monday, May 12th 2025
Course Details:
Session 1: Monday 06/02
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 06/04
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 06/06
YOU are the Solution to Plastic Pollution
Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Lee Anne Albritton – ReStore Manager at Habitat for Humanity, Holly Shader – UCRRA Master Composter Recycler (Class of 2023) and Repair Cafe Coordinator, Ella Cattabiani – Environmental Program Specialist at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Division of Materials Management, Region 3)
- What is plastic and how is it made?
- What are some the issues around plastic production and pollution?
- Our waste-reduction toolkit: refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, regift, refill, recover, regulate!
- What Local Laws and Policies exist that reduce plastic waste in Ulster County and New York State?
- How can we reduce plastic waste in our lives and communities?
Session 4: Monday 06/09
Household Hazardous Waste & Eco Friendly Alternatives
Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Eva Barnett, 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 06/11
Intro to Home Composting
Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Eva Barnett, UCRRA Recycling Educator, and Michael Hughes, UCRRA Master Composter-Recycler (Class of 2023)
- Exploring the science of composting
- What items can be composted?
- Balancing browns & greens
- Importance of air & moisture
- Comparing compost bins & methods
- Hands-On Composting Demonstration
Note: Friday 06/13 – NO CLASS THIS DAY
Session 6: Monday 06/16
Advanced Composting Topics
Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Please check back for more details on guest speakers.
- Indoor composting methods (Bokashi and Vermicomposting)
- Local & State Composting Laws
- How to compost in Ulster County
- Industrial-scale composting at the UCRRA Organics Recovery Facility
- Using Finished Compost & Soil Health
Session 7: Wednesday 06/18
Leadership Seminar
Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Please check back for more details on guest speakers.
- Strategies for effective outreach and education
- Strengthening communication & Learning
- Teaching tips
- Working with youth
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Note: Friday 06/20 – NO CLASS THIS DAY
Session 8: Monday 06/23
UCRRA Policies You Need to Know!
Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Amy Lopiano, UCRRA Chief Accounting Clerk
Session 9: Wednesday 06/25 10AM-12PM
Tour the UCRRA
Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Session 10: Friday 06/27
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.
