Recycling Volunteer Program (DEP)

The Montgomery County Recycling Volunteer program, in the Department of Environmental Protection, Recycling and Resource Management Division's Waste Reduction and Recycling Section, encourages environmental stewardship through its public outreach on waste prevention, reuse and recycling. Volunteers provide County residents with practical solutions to their waste-related concerns. In educating themselves and others, recycling volunteers stimulate thoughtful and effective action towards sound environmental practices which protect our shared environment and help the County achieve its goal to reduce waste and recycle more, aiming for zero waste.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities with the Recycling Volunteer Program to educate residents and businesses about waste reduction, reuse, recycling, buying recycled products, grasscycling, composting and more.  These activities included:

Fairs & Festival Outreach

Enjoy talking to people?  Staff an information table at area fairs and festivals and share recycling program literature and respond to resident’s concerns on recycling and other related issues.  Topics include residential curbside recycling, yard trim recycling (composting and grasscycling), special drop-off programs (confidential paper shredding/recycling and clothing/household goods donation collection events etc.) and business and multi-family recycling programs. 

Compost Workshops

Teach County residents about the do’s and don’ts of backyard composting.  Interactive workshops include how to build a compost pile, what to put in it, how to care for the pile, and how to use the finished product.  Workshops are usually held at local nurseries and garden centers, in County buildings and community centers, but they may be held at other locations in the spring and fall.  Free compost bins may be available for distribution at these workshops.  These workshops may be presented to civic groups and schools.

Recycling Speakers’ Bureau

Take our show on the road!  Use PowerPoint presentations, videos, display boards, brochures and flyers to give presentations about DEP's Recycling and Resource Management Division's recycling program and efforts as well as related environmental initiatives in both formal and informal settings.  Share information at schools, civic group meetings or gatherings, community fairs, shopping mall events and garden centers throughout Montgomery County.   

Office Assistance

Share your office skills and help with special projects in DEP's Recycling and Resource Management Division's Waste Reduction and Recycling Section office.  Help with office work such as labeling and stuffing envelopes, preparing packets of information with flyers and brochures, folding brochures and other material, updating and correcting information in various books or manuals, etc.

Neighborhood Outreach/Block and Condo Recycling Captains (not eligible for SSL credit)

Be a neighborhood resource for up-to-date information on recycling programs in Montgomery County.  Share in or arrange a presentation of recycling and related environmental information with residents in both formal and informal settings, at civic meetings, community events, and visits with neighbors.  Volunteers focus on educating their neighbors on recycling, waste reduction and buying recycled to “Close the Loop.” Available support materials include brochures, handouts and flyers for audiences of all ages.  How many homes you "adopt" is up to you!

Recycling Volunteer Team Leader (not eligible for SSL credit)

Be a resource to other volunteers and DEP Recycling and Resource Management Division staff by becoming a Recycling Volunteer Team Leader. As a team leader, you will be a source of up-to-date information on the recycling volunteer program as well as other recycling programs in Montgomery County.  Team leaders will be responsible for on-site volunteer coordination at outreach events and help with the logistics of large events, such as Earth Day, the County Fair or America Recycles Day.