Waste Warriors Volunteer Training 2025

Do you ever find yourself standing at the recycling bin wondering what can and can’t be recycled, and WHY? Curious about climate change and how your individual actions can make a difference? Wondering how you can get more engaged in your local community? Get answers to these questions and more by becoming a WSU Waste Warrior. Training begins in April!

By enrolling, you receive university-level training grounded in climate change science relevant both within Snohomish County and globally. The training is designed to help you become an informed community educator, preparing you for your volunteer commitment of 20 hours. A combination of engaging classroom presentations, workshops, and discussions paired with behind-the-scenes field trips make this an excellent educational and community engagement opportunity.

The trainings are in-person on Wednesdays, 6:00-8:30PM, at WSU Snohomish County Extension located within Willis Tucker Park's Activity Center, 6705 Puget Park Dr, Snohomish, WA 98296

The schedule is:

Wednesdays starting April 23rd and ending after May 21st, 6-8:30PM (4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21) with a tour of the WM Cascade Recycling Center on May 9th and another tour TBA. Focus is on proper recycling, composting, and effective waste reduction strategies, as well as being an effective communicator and outreach volunteer. $30 fee*.

There will be speakers from: Republic Services, multiple WSU Extensions, and Zero Waste Washington, among others. Activities include recycling sorting training, making homemade cleaning supplies, food waste trivia, and more!

WSU Snohomish County Extension programs are open to all without discrimination. *Accommodations and fee-waivers are available upon request. Ticket fee covers entire training series (5 classes).

Community Educators

Once trained, volunteers then give back to the community by sharing what they learned through various events, projects and activities. Waste Warriors commit to volunteering a minimum of 3 events a year.

One 2023 Sustainable Community Steward had this to say at the end of their training, “I have loved this class! I am so much more aware of my impacts now. I think each day about what changes I can make and have made since I started the training. Great perspective, and new friends. Looking forward to the volunteer opportunities.”

Each person gets to select which projects they work on, with options that include both public facing events and behind-the-scenes individual work. No previous training is required.

Info: Learn the history of solid waste management in Washington and understand the concept of sustainability from a local expert.

Info: Hear from a sustainability ambassador at Republic Services about recycling right. Put your new knowledge to the test on real materials through a waste sorting game.

Info: The president of Zero Waste Washington will educate you on zero waste principles and ways to incorporate them in your life and give a legislative update on zero waste laws that succeeded during the 2025 legislative session.

Info: A professional nutritionist and food waste prevention expert from WSU Skagit County Extension will teach you why food waste is a social and environmental issue, and how we can prevent it in our households using simple behavior changes. Includes trivia and other interactive activities to generate creative solutions for food waste.

Info: Learn how to use your knowledge from the past four weeks to effectively educate the public and your friends and family and make Snohomish more sustainable. Earn your completion certificate and celebrate with a potluck!

Host or Publisher WSU Snohomish County Extension