Recycling Volunteer Opportunities

• Fairs and Festivals
• Lead Volunteer
• Speakers Bureau
• Special Opportunities (multi-lingual volunteers, block captains)
• Miscellaneous

Fairs and Festivals

Enjoy talking to people? Respond to questions and concerns about the County's recycling and solid waste programs. Give out information to the public, along with recycling and composting bins. Events in which our volunteers take part may be held anywhere in Montgomery County.

Time involved: Shifts are flexible depending on the event. Volunteers may work individually or in small groups, depending on the size of the event and its duration. Events typically occur on weekends during the spring and fall.

Special skills: Good public speaking skills and ability to work with diverse audiences.

Past events have included: America Recycles Day, Burtonsville Day, Germantown Oktoberfest, Kentlands Oktoberfest, Poolesville Day, Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Olde Towne Gaithersburg Day, Quince Orchard Library Community Day, Rockville Science Day, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Taste of Bethesda, and other special events.

Lead Volunteer

You can be a resource to other volunteers and Division of Solid Waste Services staff by becoming a Lead Volunteer. As a lead volunteer, you will be a source of up-to-date information on the recycling volunteer and other recycling programs in Montgomery County.  Lead volunteer will be responsible for volunteer coordination on-site at outreach events and help with the logistics of large events, such as Earth Day, the County Fair or America Recycles Day.

• Help out with logistics – preparation for events and during events
• Coordinating and manning of volunteer sign in booth for all special events including Earth Day, America Recycles Day, and County Fair
• Help find and/or determine key events and/or volunteer projects
• Help foster a sense of team spirit
• Lead support for volunteers at events

Available support includes orientation session, brochures, handouts and flyers for audiences of all ages.

Time involved: 8 to 10 hours per year and agreeing to be Volunteer Team Leader for at least two outreach events per year.
 
Special skills: Good communication skills; ability to work with diverse audiences. Ability to provide peer support.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum age: 18 yrs
• Must complete lead volunteer training program
• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs
• Ability to make it to events with own transportation

Speakers Bureau

Take our show on the road! Use PowerPoint, videos and display materials to give presentations about the Division's recycling programs to civic organizations, clubs and other groups. Speaking engagements may take place anywhere in Montgomery County. Topics can include: recycling, composting, and more depending on your interests.

Time involved: Generally one hour, plus preparation time. Speakers usually work individually.

Special skills: Good public speaking skills and ability to work with diverse audiences.

Special Opportunities

Multilingual volunteers

Speakers of languages other than English are always welcome to help us extend our outreach to more communities. Foreign language recycling literature is available.

Time involved: Shifts are flexible depending on the event.

Block Captains

Be a neighborhood resource for up-to-date information on recycling programs in Montgomery County. We supply all the literature you need. Help others and keep them up to date about what is and is not recyclable.

Time involved: Visit your neighbors three or four times a year to drop off information and/or to chat with them about recycling. How many homes you "adopt" is up to you!

Miscellaneous

Recycling Volunteers are also involved with:

• assisting in the Recycling Volunteer Program office with mailings, research, scheduling and other preparations
• developing new presentation materials
• more!

If you are interested in volunteering with us or have some new and innovative ideas about the program, let's chat! Contact the Recycling Volunteer Program office by email or by calling 240-777-6445.

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