Programs & Services > Be a Recycling Ambassador > Recycling Ambassador Program

Recycling Ambassador Program

Our Recycling Ambassador program is an advanced learning opportunity for adults, with an in-depth training focus on recycling, economics, and waste reduction.

 

This adult training program offers participants an in-depth study of solid waste management including waste reduction, composting and recycling. Our goal is to create informed recycling ambassadors in our neighborhoods and communities.

Recycling Ambassador Program

A Recycling Ambassador is a Cuyahoga County resident who is passionate about reducing waste, recycling and composting.

 

Recycling Ambassadors are volunteers trained by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District (aka. Cuyahoga Recycles) to work in their communities to help improve recycling by serving as their neighborhood ‘subject matter expert’ on recycling.

 

Recycling Ambassadors meet, learn and work with other like-minded people to help make their communities cleaner, greener places to live. 

 

Participants will receive a small yard sign, a Recycling Ambassador t-shirt and ongoing support from the staff of the Solid Waste District. 

What Does a Recycling Ambassador Do?

  • Answers questions as a subject matter expert about recycling and composting
  • Provides tips on ways to reduce waste, especially plastic waste
  • Shares Cuyahoga Recycles social media posts, newsletters and other resources
  • Distributes Cuyahoga Recycles literature to neighbors
  • Makes short presentations to a neighborhood association or has a presence at block parties
  • Attends relevant city council meetings
  • Helps start or improve a recycling program at work, school, a place of worship, etc.
  • Helps neighbors set up a compost pile or bin
  • Creates a community swap event such as a freecycle event or a Halloween costume swap

How Does the Recycling Ambassador Program Work?

  • Participate in the Recycling Ambassador Course. The course, offered 3 - 4 times a year, consists of four 2-hour classes, held virtually via Zoom. To register, complete the application (download) and return it to Carin Miller.
  • Plan and implement your Recycling Ambassador activities and projects.
  • Stay up to date by attending quarterly meetings featuring guest speakers and field trips to local recycling and reuse organizations.
  • Keep in touch and tell us how it's going. We are here to help you!

Course Details

  • Classes are held virtually in the evenings on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
  • Course fee of $35.
  • Up to 20 students per session.
  • Taught by Solid Waste District staff members.

Upcoming Sessions

 

There are no sessions scheduled at this time. 

 

For more details about the Recycling Ambassador program, or to join the wait list, contact our education specialist at (216) 443-3731 or send an email. To join the wait list, please provide your full name and city of residence.

Our Program Graduates

 

Congratulations to our program graduates! We are pleased to announce that individuals from the following communities are Certified Master Recyclers and Recycling Ambassadors in Cuyahoga County.

This adult education and training program from the Solid Waste District has been offered since 2013. If you would like to be connected with a trained Master Recycler/Recycling Ambassador in your community, send an email.

  • Bay Village
  • Beachwood
  • Bedford
  • Berea
  • Brecksville
  • Broadview Heights
  • Brook Park
  • Chagrin Falls
  • Cleveland
  • Cleveland Heights
  • Euclid
  • Fairview Park
  • Garfield Heights
  • Highland Heights
  • Highland Hills
  • Lakewood
  • Lyndhurst
  • Maple Heights
  • Mayfield Village
  • Middleburg Heights
  • Parma
  • Pepper Pike
  • Rocky River
  • Shaker Heights
  • Solon
  • University Heights
  • Westlake

History of the Training Program


This program offered by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District has been the premier recycling education and training course in Cuyahoga County since 2013. Courses are taught by Solid Waste District staff and other experts in the solid waste industry.

 

Residents of Cuyahoga County were invited and encouraged to join the 12-week intensive, in-depth, in-person Master Recycler training program with coursework and site tours to help expand their understanding of recycling and waste management in Cuyahoga County. 

 

Beginning in 2020, the Master Recycler Program went on hiatus due to COVID-19. During the pandemic, the program returned as a 4-week online, virtual learning program and officially transitioned to become known as the Recycling Ambassador Program. 

 

Since 2013, over 150 people have completed the training program to act as official recycling ambassadors in their neighborhoods and communities. After ten years of training the general public on the intricacies of waste management, the Recycling Ambassador Program is being reimagined for future participants. 

 

The Solid Waste District staff looks forward to continue sharing our expertise and knowledge with the upcoming program relaunch.