Thurston County’s Master Recycler‑Composter (MRC) volunteer program told the Solid Waste Advisory Committee it has shifted to a daytime training format beginning Oct. 17 to attract new audiences and increase participation.

Corey Carlton, MRC program manager, said the new training runs Oct. 17, 2025, through March 20, 2026, with 12 daytime classes held two Fridays a month (about 30 hours of instruction). The program piloted a survey-driven format change after community feedback indicated a daytime option would better serve college students and people with flexible daytime schedules. To become an active volunteer, trainees are expected to provide about 20 hours of service and complete five hours of continuing education during the following year.

Carlton described robust volunteer activity across the county’s three demonstration gardens (Closed Loop Park, Olympia Farmers Market garden and City of Olympia dirt works garden), noting volunteers hosted seven in-person composting workshops since March and supported a children’s garden program that harvested more than 300 pounds of produce for the food bank across four classes.

Program staff said volunteers have staffed community events such as the Capitol City Marathon, the Lacey Rotary Duck Dash and the Olympia Farmers Market 50th anniversary celebration; they also run monthly “café” meet-ups and Zoom check-ins to support volunteers and continuing education.

Jenny (program staff) described the updated training format and said eight applications have been received with about two weeks remaining in the application window.

Ending: Program leaders asked committee members to share training information and volunteer opportunities; staff said they will continue to host workshops, demonstration garden service parties and support event outreach throughout the fall and winter.