Have you always wondered what actually happens to the recycling after it is picked up? Tired of defending recycling at the dinner table? This class is your chance to turn curiosity into confidence and impress at your next family gathering. Despite the national news claiming recycling is broken, the truth is in your backyard and at the curb. Recycling is a hyperlocal activity and is working well right here in our community. Find out how, why it matters and your role in its success.
Emmet County Recycling is offering a FREE Master Recycler class in partnership with the Michigan Recycling Coalition to develop community recycling champions. This course will offer an opportunity to grow your recycling knowledge through classroom education, guest speakers, activities, site tours and volunteerism in your community.
This course is ideal for community members interested in expansion of their knowledge of recycling, composting, waste reduction and sustainability and can include high schoolers, community members, businesses, and seasoned individuals. There will also be a tour of the Emmet County Pleasantview Drop-Off Center, date/time to be determined.
Join your fellow community members who support the mission to reduce waste, reuse, recycle and properly dispose of materials to preserve the natural beauty of Northern Michigan. Age 16+
To receive your Master Recycler certification, 10 volunteer hours must be completed by September 30, 2026. These hours can come from administering surveys, adopt a drop-site cleanup, tabling events such as farmers markets, event recycling, community presentations, Recycle Village hours at Blissfest (bonus: weekend wristbands available!) or a pre-approved project.
Noelle Behling joined Emmet County Recycling as Communication & Education Coordinator in 2022. For the ECR program, she manages the website, socials, educational materials, and annual school tours. She blends her knowledge in marketing, customer service experience and passion for recycling to engage her community in sustainable practices. Noelle took charge and learned all things battery recycling in her first year with ECR and began building relationships with community hosts. She is looking forward to what the future holds in technological advancements for battery identification and sorting.
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 2025, Natalie Gibbons began her career with Emmet County Recycling as an intern. Just a few months later, she was brought on full time as Sustainability and Resources Coordinator and has been serving in that role for the past nine months. In her position, Natalie facilitates tote deliveries, coordinates battery recycling, manages data collection, and supports educational outreach efforts alongside Noelle. An avid home composter, Natalie is especially passionate about organics recycling, zero-waste initiatives, and expanding opportunities for reuse.
