ecomaine has launched an all-new educational curriculum designed to provide participants with six months of information, activities, and background to certify them as “Master Recyclers.”

Like master gardener programs that create a network of trained horticulturists, ecomaine created the course in response to a growing interest in recycling, composting, and sustainable waste management.

“It’s our hope that, with each group of ‘certified ecomaineiacs,’ we will see more and better ambassadors all around Maine who will advocate for long-term, sustainable solid waste solutions,” said Matt Grondin, ecomaine’s Communications Manager, in a news release.  “We know Maine residents want to know ‘which bin to put things in,’ and by creating a network of informed recyclers, that knowledge can spread to their neighbors, friends, and families.”

The course contains five chapters with activities that can be completed online, in participants’ homes, and around their own neighborhoods. Each unit ranges in theme, including: the “do’s and don’ts” of recycling; the process of collecting, sorting, and marketing recyclables; local, state, and federal policies; and the value of recycling to the environment and the global supply chain.

“There’s so much interest in recycling, and recycling correctly,” said Vanessa Berry, an ecomaine Environmental Educator, and course moderator. “We want to give people the tools to really dive into it and make deeper connections with those materials that many people don’t give a second thought to.”

The course will start with new cohorts each month; participants will have six months to complete the program and will have access to ecomaine’s education staff and resources along the way. 

Potential participants can sign up for more information at ecomaine’s website or by calling 207-523-3142.

About ecomaine

ecomaine is the Portland-based nonprofit, recycling and waste-to-energy operation that serves a third of the state’s population in 70 member communities through single-sort recycling, organics/food waste programming, waste-to-energy, and an “ashfill” landfill.  In its FY20, ecomaine reached more than 55,000 school children and members of the public through grants, tours, presentations, and events to promote sustainability in waste management.  www.ecomaine.org