More than half of what comes to King County’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill as “garbage” is actually recyclable material. In hopes of reducing waste and conserving resources, King County’s Solid Waste Division is offering free training on the do’s and don’ts of recycling and tips about how to engage the public to recycle more. Classes are scheduled for May in south King County.

Program participants will be taught about waste reduction, recycling and solid waste impacts on climate change.The Master Recycler Composter program training is open to all King County residents who live outside the cities of Seattle and Milton. In exchange for the free training, program graduates are expected to volunteer 25 hours for public outreach opportunities planned by county staff, focusing on how to recycle more and waste less. The program seeks outgoing, engaging individuals who want to inspire others to reduce waste and recycle more.

Program coordinator Karen May said King County has trained more than 600 volunteers since the program began in 1990.

“Those volunteers have provided more than 25,000 hours of teaching others about waste prevention and recycling by staffing booths at community events and farmers markets, and delivering presentations at community centers,” she said.

Training will be offered on two consecutive Saturdays – May 3 and May 10 – from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent. Participants must attend both trainings. An optional, but recommended, field trip is scheduled for May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by April 30.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/mrc/index or call 206-633-0451, ext. 120.