Education Opportunities
Are you passionate about Zero Waste? Are you ready to learn more about reducing waste, diverting food scraps from the landfill, recycling right, and more? Find a workshop or community event that's right for you.
Summer Tours of the City's Resource Recovery Facility
Most Fridays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, June - August 2026,
and Saturday, June 25th, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Registration is required. More information can be found on the registration page, linked here.
Get ready to discover the journey your recycling and food scraps take—and see firsthand how your actions make a difference!
Visitors will see what happens to the 30 to 50 tons of material that Santa Cruzians place into their blue recycle bins every single day. They will learn why it is important to “recycle right” and avoid “wish-cycling.” Visitors will also see a mountain of scrap metal, learn about the facility’s Household Hazardous Waste Program, and see the Food Scrap Pre-Processor Machine. Don’t miss out on this chance to become a waste reduction pro!
The City of Santa Cruz offers private tours for groups of 10 or more. To schedule a group tour, contact Waste Reduction Assistant, Caylie Soon, at csoon@santacruzca.gov.
Downtown Farmers Market
Do you have pressing questions you want answered? Do you like to shop at the Wednesday Farmers Market? Stop by the Waste Reduction table and talk with our trained Master Recycler Volunteers. Play our Recycle Right sorting game, spin the Food Waste Wheel, and win a plastic-free produce bag to use at the market!
Most Wednesdays, Downtown Farmers Market on Church and Cedar St.
Master Recycler Volunteer Training Program
Our 2026 Master Recycler Volunteer Training Program has concluded for the year. If you'd like to join us next year, please complete the Master Recycler Interest Form. Click here to view form.
Printable Program Brochure(PDF, 6MB)
Hot Composting Workshop April 25th, 2026, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Offered annually. Check back later to see 2027 workshop dates.
Curious about hot composting? Maybe you have tried before but need a refresher. No matter your experience, join us for a workshop all about hot composting! In this class, we will build a compost pile together, discuss best practices for maintaining it, and explore strategies for reducing food waste... and why it matters!
Vermicomposting Workshop April 4th, 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Offered annually. Check back later to see 2027 workshop dates.
Have you been curious about vermicomposting (composting with worms)? No matter your experience, join the City of Santa Cruz Waste Reduction Staff for a workshop all about vermicomposting! In this workshop, we will build a vermicomposting bin together, discuss best practices for keeping your worms happy, and look at strategies for reducing wasted food (and why it matters!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Master Recycler training in person or online?
The Master Recycler Volunteer Training is all in person. There is no online option for the training at this time.
Who are the Master Recycler Volunteers?
Master Recycler Volunteers, or “MRV’s” for short, are a network of Santa Cruz community members who are trained on waste reduction, recycling right, composting, and effective communication skills through a six-week course taught by City staff and guest speakers.
After attending the six-week training, participants commit to completing 20 volunteer hours within the City of Santa Cruz to share their knowledge and training with the community.
How have Master Recycler Volunteers made a difference in Santa Cruz?
Not only are they strengthening the City's ability to reach more people, but passionate WRA's are demonstrating the sustainable behaviors (and creating social norms) that we want to see in Santa Cruz. There’s no better way to engage fellow Santa Cruz residents than by having our own family, friends, coworkers, peers, and neighbors be the ones motivating us to reduce waste and recycle right in our homes, workplaces, schools, and community spaces.
Can my event get help from Master Recycler Volunteers?
If you have a project or event that could use MRV volunteer support, email the event details to the MRV program coordinator at mrv@santacruzca.gov.
Applicable volunteer opportunities for Master Recycler Volunteers can include: