Wednesdays 1/29/2025 – 3/19/2025 from 6:30–8:00pm at Waste Connections of WA (9411 NE 94th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98662)
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1/29/25 - Backyard Composting & Lasagna Composting
Topics
- Five control factors of a compost pile (SMART)
- Do’s and Don’ts of composting
- Backyard, lasagna, and other composting techniques
- Mulching, grass-cycling, leaf mold, and Hugelkultur
Activities
- Build a “mini” compost bin with representational greens and browns
- Examine different types/stages of compost
Think Pair Share
- How can you gather and store composting greens and browns
- Scale up to 3’x3’x3’ bin, how many 5 gallon buckets of greens and browns
Resources
- How to Compost
- Request a Compost Bin
- Building a pile 8 Min. Video - Making Compost from Coffee and Paper
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2/5/25 - Worm Bin Composting & Cart Composting
Topics
- Basic wormology: Biology and fundamentals of worms
- Difference between compost and vermicompost
- Do’s and Don’ts of worm feeding and care
- Worm bins and systems
- Community Hub - We Compost Carts
- Curbside Organics Carts (Ridgefield, Vancouver)
- "Compostable" products accepted or not and why
- Dirt Hugger
Activities
- Deconstruct a worm bin: examine contents – ID the decomposers
- Pass out compost kitchen collection pails
Think Pair Share
- How will you take care of your pet worms
- Find the closest We Compost Community Hub
Resources
- How to Compost
- Request a worm bin
- We Compost on YouTube
- We Compost Community Hub locations
- Request a kitchen counter compost pail
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2/12/25 - Bokashi, and Food Recyclers (e.g. Lomi)
Topics
- Step by step guide to Bokashi
- Tips and Tricks of bokashi
- How to process the “pre” compost and become a soil factory
- Differences between compost, vermicompost, bokashi “pre” compost
- How kitchen countertop composters work
Activities
- Fill a bokashi bin with food and EM bran
- Examine contents of a finished bokashi bin and digestate
Think-Pair-Share
- What is the best way for you to keep food waste out of the trash?
Resources
- Solana Center for Environmental Innovation - (5 minute read.) Bokashi overview
- “Sara at Skillnaden’s” YouTube playlist on Bokashi.
- Bokashi Community Forum
- Food Recycler (Lomi) Review Video
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2/19/25 - Low Waste Chef
Topics
- In this training, you will gain an understanding of how reducing food waste is good for the planet and your wallet. We will share strategies to combat food waste, minimize food spoilage and use the food you have.
- Gain an understanding of statewide Organics Management Laws and the Department of Ecology’s goals as described in The Use Food Well plan.
- Learn about how food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that intensify climate change, and what you can do help Clark County residents prevent food waste.
Activities
- Inventory your fridge, freezer, pantry and note sell by/best by/use by dates
Think-Pair-Share
- Create a food waste reduction goal. Focus on a specific ingredient like “I will use all my bananas.” Or an action, like “I will only buy things on my grocery list.”
Resources
- PowerPoint slide deck & savory pancake recipe https://extension.wsu.edu/clark/healthwellness/nutrition/snap-ed-nutrition-education/cooking-with-leftover-booklet/?preview=true
- Food: Too Good to Waste https://clarkgreenneighbors.org/food-too-good-to-waste
- https://savethefood.com
- epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-too-good-waste-implementation-guide-and-toolkit
- oregon.gov/deq/mm/food/Pages/foodwastestrategy.aspx
- Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR1Y-ieyfjU
- https://stopfoodwaste.org/tips
- https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing
- https://extension.wsu.edu/clark/healthwellness/foodpreservation/
- https://savethefood.com/guestimator
- Use the Guest-imator tool when preparing food for multiple people. It will help you curate a menu and estimate the amount of food needed.
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2/26/25 - Green Cleaning
Topics
- Household hazardous waste products ("HHW")
- Hidden poisons - environmental and health impacts of common household chemicals
- Safe use & disposal, and safer alternatives
- Green cleaning
Activities
- Read the HHW label and understand the EPA signal words
- Make a green cleaning kit including three products: all purpose cleaner, window cleaner, safer scrubber (1 kit per household)
Think-Pair-Share
- What surprising toxics are in your household that you haven't considered "toxic"?
Resources
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3/5/25 - Curbside Recycling Done Right
Topics
- How our recycling sort system works
- What goes in the cart? What doesn't?
- Recycling beyond the cart
- Recycling markets
- The RecycleRight App (RecyclingA-Z.com)
Activities
- Curbside Recycle Done Right Sorting Game
Think-Pair-Share
- Look up an item on Recycling A-Z and discuss disposal options
Resources:
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3/12/25 - Beyond Curbside Recycling
Topics
- Product stewardship: E-Cycle (Electronics), Light Recycle Washington, Medications, Paint
- Batteries
- Vapes/e-cigarettes
- Plastic bags and film
- Reuse: Repair Clark County, local social media exchanges
Activities
- Beyond Curbside Re-Jeopardy
Think-Pair-Share
- An opportunity for group learning
Resources
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3/19/25 - Composter Recycler Volunteer Orientation
Topics:
- Clark County Solid Waste green programs panel
- Community outreach tips and tricks
- Upcoming volunteer opportunities
Activities:
- Tabling role play scenarios in pairs
Think-Pair-Share
Resources:
- Recycling A-Z https://clarkgreenneighbors.org/recycling-a-z
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Compost Field Work: West Van Transfer Station Tour
Itinerary
Compost field trainings will be made available on week days and saturday from 10 - 11:30 am.
The West Van Transfer Station Tours will be on a Saturday 10 - 11:30am
Sign up will be available through the Volunteer Clubhouse portal and announced during training
