Composter Recycler Training Syllabus

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

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 

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

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. 

• https://www.supercook.com
• https://foodcombo.com/
• https://usefoodwell.org

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

• How to green clean

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:

• Recycling Done Right
• Looking at what gets recycled that should not (4 min)

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

• Batteries
• Electronics
• Light Recycle WA 
• Clark County Household Hazardous Waste
• Medication
• Paint
• Plastic Film Recycling
• Repair Clark County

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 

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