2026 Master Composter Master Recycler Certification Course

2026 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
* see alternate dates noted below*

About this Course:

The Master Composter Master Recycler (MCR) training program is a 25 hour professional development course offered by the UCRRA’s Recycling Outreach Team. Participants complete all ten master classes and receive an official certificate upon course completion. This program is exclusively open to individuals who are interested in becoming an enrolled volunteer.  Eligibility: participants must be an Ulster County resident, be 18+ years old (all ages welcome), and must be available to complete the annual service hour requirement (25 hours volunteering).

In addition to to reviewing the course description below, interested persons should review the Volunteer Description found on our Volunteer webpage for full details about the role. Then, complete a Volunteer Application and indicate they’d like to work towards this Certification program. Please note: participants must complete all classes in this series, as well as a Special Project presentation, to receive the certificate.

Application Deadline: Monday, May 11th 2026

Course Details:

Session 1: Monday 06/01/26

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 06/03/26

Recycle Right!

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Please check back for more details about guest speakers.

• 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.)
• What are some the issues around plastic production and pollutions
• Other special recycling programs and local laws

Session 3: Friday 06/05/26

Exploring the 7R’s to Rethinking Our Waste

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability
Speakers: Please check back for more details about guest speakers.

• Exploring more of the “7 R’s” in our waste-reduction toolkit: refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, regift, refill
• What are some low effort, high impact ways of refusing and reducing waste in our lives?
• What opportunities exist to practice reusing and regifting?
• What opportunities exist to practice repair?
• What opportunities exist to practice refill?

Session 4:  Monday 06/08/26

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 06/10/26

Intro to Home Composting

Facilitator/Speaker: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

Speakers: Eva Barnett, UCRRA Recycling Educator

• 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 06/12/26

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: Monday 06/15/26

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

Session 8:  Wednesday 06/17/26

UCRRA Policies You Need to Know!

NOTE: THIS IS A VIRTUAL CLASS. NO IN-PERSON SESSION THIS DAY.

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

PLEASE NOTE: No in-person session on Friday 06/19/26

Session 9: Monday 06/22/26 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tour the UCRRA Operations

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

• Solid waste tipping floor
• Materials Recovery Facility
• Organics Recovery Facility

PLEASE NOTE: There will be additional, optional tour(s) planned for Wednesday 06/24 and Friday 06/26 TBD. Otherwise, no in-person classes on these days. Participants should use this time to work on their Special Projects.

Session 10:  Friday 06/29/26
Special Project Presentations by Participants

Facilitator: Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

Accessibility: These classes will be held indoors at the UCRRA Main Office, except for the tours noted in the schedule. Additional detail about the tours will be provided to registered participants. 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.