Waste Wise Education and Sustainability Training

Learn how you can make a difference in the impact you have on the earth and the impact that others have as well, by becoming a waste wiser! In the Waste Wise education and volunteer training program, you will:

• Understand how our waste production contributes to global climate change
• Gain a better understanding of our global and local waste situation
• Explore where our products come from, our natural resource use, and our manufacturing responsibility
• Learn what happens to our trash and recycling
• Know how to recycle right and why it is so important
• Learn ways to live with lower impact
• Find out about food waste
• Learn how to compost your kitchen and yard waste
• Understand the dangers of household hazardous waste and how to dispose of it properly
• Learn about and make alternative cleaning products
• Get ideas for reducing and reusing
• Be able to share your knowledge with others

Waste Wise training content is grounded in credible climate change and natural resources science relevant globally and locally within Island County, designed to equip each participant as an informed community educator. Participants will receive 20+ hours of *University-level training as well as additional hands-on and field trip opportunities.

*No previous university education required.

Course Goals

Attendees will:

• Understand the relationship between consumption, waste production, and climate change
• Acquire tools to reduce consumption and impact
• Be inspired to share this vital knowledge with others

Training Schedule

This 6-week-session-series will run 4 – 6 PM. and offer an engaging format through the option of in-person classrooms on Camano Island. We will also be offering virtual learning via Zoom. (A similar training will be offered in person on Whidbey Island in Fall of 2026)

The course fee for Waste Wise is $50, which helps to cover material costs. For those that have taken the Waste Wise Training before the fee will be $5 – $10 suggested donation.

Please note: Class titles are representative only and are subject to change.

• 4/13 – Intro to Waste Wise, Environmental Justice, and Why This Matters
• 4/20 – Washington’s Zero Waste Legislative Update with special guest, Heather Trim
• 4/27 – Food Waste Focus: Lowering Our Foodprint
• 5/4 – Nature’s Recycling: Home Composting Options and Commercial Composting
• 5/11 – Reducing: A Focus on consumption, toxics, and more!
• 5/18 – Recycling Right, Safer Disposal: Household Hazardous Waste

Optional field experiences may include tours of Island County Transfer Stations, Island Recycling, Lenz Compost, Stanwood Food Bank/Thrift Store, Community Garden, and WM’s Cascade Recycling Center.

Current Field Trips Planned for Spring 2026:

• Thursday, 4/16 @ 9 – 10 am – Tour of Lenz Composting in Stanwood
• Monday, 4/20 @ 2:30 – 3:30 pm – Tour of Camano Transfer Station
• Monday, 5/4 @ 2:30 pm – Tour of Stanwood Food Bank – Food Waste Reduction
• Monday, 5/11 @ 2:00 pm – Tour of the Puget Sound Public Farm in Stanwood
• Saturday, 5/16 @ 10 am – 2 pm – Camano Homesteading Fair at Camano Commons
• Monday, 5/18 @ 1:30 – 2:30 pm – Tour of Stanwood Thrift Store

To Volunteer or Not to Volunteer

There is no volunteer requirement for these classes as we prefer to have them available to all, and not everyone has the ability or desire to engage in volunteer activities.  Additionally, whether a person is an active volunteer or not, they are sure to share their new knowledge, either directly or indirectly, with others. That said, we joyously welcome any who might wish to help support our Waste Wise activities throughout Island County by joining us as a volunteer.