Why are some materials recyclable at the curb and others aren’t? When waste haulers take trash and recyclables away, what happens to the materials?
Get answers to these questions and more during the next Porter County Master Recycler class. The comprehensive, eight-week program is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 11 through Oct. 30, at the Porter County Government Administration Center, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. The course will feature guest speakers and field trips that will help students gain environmental knowledge beyond the blue bin.
Sponsored by the Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County, the course is open to Porter County residents and those who work in the county. Participants will learn from the experts more about waste flow processes, recycling, and composting. Students will also meet others who have similar waste reduction and environmental interests.
The online application and program syllabus are available on the District’s website, www.ItMeansTheWorld.org.
“Reducing waste that goes into our landfills is much more than placing recyclables at the curb,” said Therese Davis, executive director of the Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County.
A fee of $30 will help cover the cost of course materials and is due upon acceptance into the program. Class participants commit to 30 hours of volunteer time to educate and inspire others in their community to reduce waste in the home and at work.
The program is limited to 30 participants. Applicants that apply after the class is full will be placed on a waiting list and notified when the next course is scheduled.
“Volunteer work can include helping the district educate the public at our Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration,” Davis said. “They can also be as inventive as they want and create their own projects, such as teaching local community groups how to reduce waste at special events or educating residents in an apartment or condo complex about recycling opportunities. We’re open to the great ideas they have about inspiring others to become more knowledgeable about their waste.”
For more information, visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org or call 465-3819.
