What is a Master Recycler?

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Master Recyclers are waste prevention ambassadors who work within their communities to cultivate public awareness by supporting a wide variety of projects and programs across Jackson County. They share their knowledge and motivate others to make resource conservation a way of life.

Master Recycler Training Course 2022 has been cancelled due to low turnout.
We would like to offer an online half-day training in the spring. Please email us at info@jcmasterrecyclers.org if you are interested.

Each year,  a 6-week training course teaches residents and business and government representatives on topics of recycling, waste prevention, composting, local solid waste infrastructure, e-waste, hazardous waste and much more. The course includes an extensive training manual, presentations from regional experts.

Weekly classes will take place on Tuesday evenings in the Rogue Disposal corporate office at One West Main Street in downtown Medford. There will be one Saturday field trip to a local transfer station, state-of-the-art landfill and waste water treatment plant.

  • Course Fees: $75  – need-based scholarships may be available.
  • All course participants are required to have regular access to an active email address; frequent communication between the MR program and participants is made electronically.

To request more info about the 2022 training sessions click here

Class Presentations & Discussion:

  • Our Wasteshed: Who, What and Where
  • Local Solid Waste Infrastructure
  • Solid Waste History and Overview
  • DEQ Role & Regulations
  • Recycling Processes
  • Recycling Contaminants
  • Composting & Vermicomposting
  • Food Waste Diversion and Local Programs
  • Commercial Composting
  • Wood and Yard Debris Diversion
  • Plastics Recycling
  • Hazardous Waste Management
  • Electronics Management
  • Reduce & Reuse
  • Waste Diversion in the Workplace

Sample Field Trips & Weekend Activities:

  • Dry Creek Landfill & Gas to Energy Facility
  • Commercial Composting Facility
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Local Transfer Station
  • To request more info about upcoming training session, click here

Launched in Spring 2008, the Jackson County Master Recycling program was modeled after existing Master Recycler programs in Portland and Eugene. In its first year, the program was sponsored by Jackson County with grant funding from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The program is now administered by Jackson County Recycling Partnership.