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Fall and winter tour series

Between August and December, we are offering a series of facility tours for Community Recycling Ambassadors at the following tour locations:

• Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Organics Recycling Facility in Shakopee
• Brooklyn Park Transfer Station (BPTS) in Brooklyn Park
• Hennepin Energy Recover Center (HERC) in Minneapolis.

All tours are free, but you must register to attend. Each tour date has a maximum capacity of 24 people, so sign up early to reserve your spot and please only register for dates you know you can attend.

Congratulations to our 2023 Community Recycling Ambassador class graduates!

This year, 58 students completed their Community Recycling Ambassador training over the course of two class sessions.

Spring CRA class graduation photos

Our spring class was the first to try out a hybrid class model and our summer class was the first to try out a daytime virtual class model. Thank you for testing these changes with us, and welcome to the CRA community!

Summer CRA class graduation photo

Volunteer opportunities

“Make Your Food Last Longer” information tabling

Sunday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to noon
Eastside Food Co-op, 2551 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis

Share the joy of making your food last longer! One to two CRAs are needed to staff a table at this grocery store to give tips on how to properly store produce, herbs, and more to prevent wasted food. Training and materials provided. To sign up, contact Jenny Kedward at jenny.kedward@hennepin.us or 612-348-7546.

Stop Food Waste information tabling

Saturday, August 19 from 10:30 am. to 12:45 p.m.
Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka

Ridgedale Library is hosting a screening of Sustenance, a documentary about food's journey around the world and its interconnectedness with justice, climate change, and sustainability. One to two CRAs are needed to staff a table before and after the movie to give resources about reducing wasted food. Training and materials provided. To sign up, contact Jenny Kedward at jenny.kedward@hennepin.us or 612-348-7546.

MPCA Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair

Thursday, August 24 through Monday, September 4 (multiple shifts)
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul

The MPCA Eco Experience team is excited to offer volunteer opportunities for Recycling Ambassadors at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair! You will receive a free ticket to the fair, volunteer hours, and a chance to educate a wide-ranging segment of the public on recycling in Minnesota. To sign up to volunteer as a Recycling Ambassador, fill out the application.

Support a virtual backyard composting workshop

Friday, September 8 from noon to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, September 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Hennepin County is looking for volunteers to help support two upcoming virtual backyard composting workshops. One volunteer is needed per workshop. Volunteers help staff manage meeting participants, monitor the chat, and take notes if needed. If you are interested, contact Kira.Berglund@hennepin.us

Important links

• Become a Recycling Ambassador
• Hours reporting form
• Facebook group
• Information for current Recycling Ambassadors
• Educational handouts and signs ordering form
• Educational kits and displays
• Recycling at events

Program contact

Kaitlin Keller
Community Recycling Ambassadors Coordinator
612-596-6844
kaitlin.keller@hennepin.us