Master Recycler Composter Program

What is the Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program?

The Master Recycler Composters of Thurston County is a county-based volunteer service program managed through the WSU Thurston County Extension office in Olympia. This program is sponsored by the Thurston County Public Works Department and the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County.

Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteers are trained on how to reduce waste and increase public awareness of opportunities to prevent waste, recycle and compost in Thurston County.

MRC volunteers serve with local organizations, community members, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, or at special events encouraging waste prevention, recycling, and composting. On-going continuing education opportunities are provided to all MRC volunteers to stay up to date on the ever-changing landscape of recycling regulations, waste reduction techniques, and composting science.

In order to serve in their capacity as MRC volunteer in the community, they must first complete the MRC volunteer training where they receive the in-depth knowledge necessary to be successful. See the MRC Volunteer Training section below for more information about the annual MRC volunteer training.

• Gardening/Composting/Recycling Question and Answer Clinic
• Compost Demonstration Sites – learn more about bin styles and composting at one of our Demonstration Sites
• Outreach and Workshops in Thurston County
  • Upcoming Events and Outreach
  • Virtual Workshop Recordings

2024 Impact Report –

• • • 2024 Impact Report – Thurston Extension MG MRC Primary Slide

Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Volunteer Training

• Do you live, work, or operate a business in Thurston County and are interested in becoming a certified Master Recycler Composter volunteer?  Learn more about how to become an MRC volunteer on our training page.

Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program services and online resources for our Thurston County community

• Do you have a composting or recycling question? Contact our Q&A clinic and get your questions answered by a certified MRC volunteer.
• Gardening, Composting, and Recycling Resources
• Thurston County and City of Olympia Solid Waste Resources
  • Thurston County Solid Waste webpage – Where Do I Take My? Database, Hazardous Waste disposal, What goes in my recycle cart?
  • City of Olympia webpage – What Goes Where? Database, curbside collection schedule, Recycle Coach
• Composting Resources
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  • Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program YouTube Channel 
    • Home Composting Basics webinar (May 6, 2021)
    • How To Build A Compost Pile webinar (July 22, 2021)
    • Other videos on composting at home
  • Backyard Composting – WSU Publication EB1784E
  • A User’s Guide to Compost – includes a guide on buying compost
  • Herbicide-contaminated Compost and Soil Mix – what you should know and what you can do about it – OSU Publication EM9308
  • How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes – OSU Publication EM9308
  • Worm Composting Workshop Handout v2022
  • University of Illinois Extension Worms Program webpage
• Compost Bin Plans
  • Wire mesh compost unit
  • Wood and wire three bin composting unit
  • Concrete block three bin compost unit
  • Wood Worm composting bin plans
  • Plastic tub worm bin plan
  • Pros and cons of different bin styles
• WSU Extension Office and Demo Garden Site Directions

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Information for Current MRC Volunteers

Click here to go to the Interim TOSS (password-protected, to access use the same password as the original TOSS webpage.)

UPDATE- We have added the above Interim TOSS page as a way to communicate with volunteers while IT figures out why our original TOSS website isn’t working.

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Click here to go to TOSS (password-protected)

UPDATE to MG & MRC Volunteers- Cori and Jenni currently can’t make any updates on TOSS. If you are looking for Zoom links please check the Friday Flash or contact Cori directly. IT is working on solving this problem.

Click here to go to the 2025/2026 MRC Trainee webpage (password-protected)

Our Program Partners

The WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program and Master Recycler Composter Program of Thurston County achieves our missions with the support of our sponsors and partners.  They include: City of Olympia, Port of Olympia, Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County, Thurston County Public Works, WSU Master Gardener Program, and WSU Thurston County Extension.

Click here to learn more about our partners.