2025 Master Recycler Workshop Year
Over the course of 2025, all people who have gone through the Master Recycler Class are invited back to participate in monthly refresher trainings, tours, several in-person spring kick-off events, and appreciation events celebrating you! Pick and choose which trainings and tours interest you. Join all class sessions to essentially retake the Master Recycler class.
The Website Password is “recycler” for those of you who have not logged in for a while.
Upcoming August Lessons and Tours
Wed. August 20: Sustainability at Schools: Case Studies and How to Get Involved (a presentation by Eco-School Network) On Zoom, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Thu. August 21: Tour - Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (BottleDrop) 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Past Lessons
Visit the Class Presentations page of the Master Recycler website for links to the PowerPoint slides, YouTube Recording (only accessible via this link), and the Zoom Chat.
Master Recyclers from Class 1 through Class 95 toured the PDX Airport, seeing their reuse programs, food donation, recycling, and the sustainability efforts that went into the recent remodel! Nothing like a behind the scenes tour of one of the best airports ever.
Volunteer Opportunity with the Oregon Reduces Campaign
Gain volunteer hours while helping to reduce single-use waste from takeout!
Join Waste-Free Advocates in spreading the word with food establishments that BYO (Bring Your Own) is legal in Oregon. You'll be canvassing in small teams along 82nd Ave from 2-4pm on Aug 24th and providing restaurants with the materials they need to legally accept customer-owned containers.
Attendance at the virtual orientation on Aug 12th from 6-7pm is highly encouraged. Both count towards MR hours. Help create a culture of refill and reuse in Portland!
Recycled Art and Trashion Show
From Cecelia Warner, Class 47:
“We Master Recyclers try, along with many things, to Reuse and Repurpose waste. This is your opportunity to reuse and repurpose waste to create ART to share with other Master Recyclers!
Channel your inner innovator and redeploy rescued, recovered, upcycled, and transformed items to create a standalone masterpiece!
With the static art option, you can also design a costume to model in the Trashion Show! Feel free to recruit someone else to wear your unique apparel onstage.
Yet another option is to just enjoy the show as a spectator! No matter what, you’ll see old friends, make new ones, have fun, and appreciate our creative community while enjoying delicious Mexican food and beverages. (Food and drinks self-purchased).
This is a Master Recycler event but everyone is invited to participate!
Saturday, September 27th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Taqueria Corona, 2009 Main Street, Forest Grove
https://forestgrovetrashbash.org/
Sponsored by Shake & Fold: Preventing Paper Towel Waste to Help Curb Climate Change.”
RSVP Below
News from Fellow Master Recyclers
From Master Recycler Elizabeth Start, Class 56
“Over the past four years, Start Consulting has had the honor of supporting some incredible projects, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to work with many of you. Lisa LeDoux and I love this work and are excited to continue growing Start Consulting for years to come. But we also found ourselves missing the creative side of what we do.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the opening of Circsus Upcycle Art & Gifts, a new shop in downtown Milwaukie, Oregon! We officially open on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM.
Circsus is located on the second floor of the old City Hall building, between pFriem Brewing and Keeper Coffee. The shop gives us a creative reuse outlet, but more importantly, showcases local artists and makers who turn wasted materials into art, gifts and goods. Every item in the shop must be made from at least 60% reclaimed materials, and all artists and items must be from the Pacific Northwest. (We don’t need to import garbage!) While creative reuse isn’t going to save the world, we hope our lil’ shop will get people thinking about what they throw away and how to use less stuff!
We’d love for you to stop by, follow us on social media, and help spread the word! If you or someone you know is creating upcycled or reused art, let us know or apply directly on our website.
Thanks for your continued support. We hope to see you at Circsus!”
Appreciations / Agradecimientos
Millennials
Alaina Labak, Class 64
These Master Recyclers have gone the distance! With over 1000 hours of volunteer service, we can say with certainty that you have had a deep, lasting impact on the community and planet. Thank you for your dedication and contribution to the community!
¡Estos expertos en reciclaje han llegado hasta el final! Con más de 1000 horas de servicio voluntario, podemos decir con certeza que ha tenido un impacto profundo y duradero en la comunidad y el planeta. ¡Gracias por su dedicación y contribución a la comunidad!
Alaina Labak (Class 64) has completed over 1,000 volunteer hours! With this, she has achieved the rank of a Master Recycler Millennial, joining five others. Alaina has done most of her work through Waste-Free Advocates, but she has also presented to the Master Recycler class, acted as a Mentor, supported the Milwaukie Environmental Stewards Group, participated in school activities, and so much more. Thank you, Alaina, for all your amazing work!
Alaina Labak (Clase 64) ha completado más de 1000 horas de voluntariado. Con esto, ha alcanzado el rango de Experta en Reciclaje Millennial, uniéndose a otras cinco. Alaina ha realizado la mayor parte de su trabajo a través de Waste-Free Advocates, pero también ha realizado presentaciones ante la clase de Expertos en Reciclaje, ha sido mentora, ha apoyado al Grupo de Guardianes del Medio Ambiente de Milwaukie, ha participado en actividades escolares y mucho más. ¡Gracias, Alaina, por tu increíble labor!
CERTIFIED / CERTIFICADOS
These Master Recyclers have reached 30 hours and are now officially certified!
¡Estos Expertas/os en Reciclaje han llegado a las 30 horas y ahora están oficialmente certificados!
David Dunham (Class 88) is a certified Expert in Recycling! He reached his 30 volunteer hours at several events over the past month, but found Repair Fairs to be particularly special. Thank you, David, for all your work! You make the world a better place.
David Dunham (Clase 88) es un Experto Certificado en Reciclaje. Cumplió 30 horas de voluntariado en varios eventos el mes pasado, pero las Ferias de Reparación le parecieron especialmente especiales. ¡Gracias, David, por todo tu trabajo! Haces del mundo un lugar mejor.