Become a Westchester Master Composter & Recycler

Download MCRP Application [MSWord Doc]

Sheldrake Environmental Center is hosting its third Master Composter & Recycler Program (MCRP), a train-the-trainer course for individuals who wish to teach sound composting and recycling practices in their communities. The program is modeled after similar programs across the nation including Seattle Tilth’s Master Composter Program and the University of Rhode Island’s Master Composter & Recycler Program.

Master Composter and Recyclers have been seen at the following venues:

  • Westchester County’s Earth Day at Kensico Dam
  • Larchmont-Mamaroneck Sustainability Expo
  • Irvington’s Earth Day Event
  • Pleasantville Middle School’s Earth Day event
  • Croton Community Garden Earth Day Event
  • Local Chanel 77

Program participants will meet at Sheldrake Environmental Center for four Wednesday night lectures, three Friday morning fieldtrips and one weekend project. Topics to be covered include; composting & recycling needs and benefits, recycling in Westchester County, backyard composting, vermicomposting, and deconstruction. The program will culminate with program participants running composting and recycling workshops at Sheldrake Environmental Center’s Fall Festival.

Program participants will be provided with comprehensive materials and texts and are expected to fulfill a 35 hour volunteer commitment in their community. A course fee of $175 will be charged to each participant. To register for the course, complete the application and email to scheduling@sheldrakecenter.org.

For more information email Jennifer Jensen at westcesterMCRP@gmail.com.

Download MCRP Application [MSWord Doc]


Training Schedule

Session One: 9/22
Introduction, Dissemination of Materials, Discussion of Group Project

Session Two: 9/29
Recycling in Westchester County, Deconstruction

Field Trip One: 10/01
Tour of Westchester County Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

Session Three: 10/6
Vermicomposting/Worm Composting
Worm Bin Workshop /Lab

Field Trip Two: 10/8
Wheelabrator Westchester, L.P. (Tour of a Waste to Energy Disposal Plant)

Session Four: 10/13
Backyard Composting Lecture, Composting Workshop / Lab

Field Trip Three: 10/15
Stone Barns (Tour of composting facilities–traditional, meats and teas)

Group Project: 10/17
Composting & Recycling Presentations at Sheldrake’s Fall Festival