LEVELING UP RECYCLING AND ORGANICS EDUCATION
Community Education Grants
The Michigan Recycling Coalition's Community Education Grant program is seeking communities that want to level up their education through best practice, local outreach projects. Think, finally getting assistance to evaluate and fine tune or establish your website, cart tagging, or developing and mailing recycling information backed by evidence-based messaging. The MRC will be accepting applications for community education grants in the amount of $7,500. The MRC education team will share how we can provide assistance and financial support to help you zero in on goals, and implement proven behavior change strategies to help you increase participation and decrease contamination.
Deadline: March 9th, 2026
Next Funding Cycle: July-Aug, 2026
Selection of applicants: Early to mid-March
Completion of Projects: July 2026
BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND CBSM TRAINING
The Recycling Partnership is at the forefront of behavior change in sustainable materials management and we are bringing their workshop to Michigan. This one-day event will provide insights on data, case, studies, and the recipe for getting more participation in your program than ever before. Participants will receive practical tools such as behavior mapping guidance, resident engagement templates, and access to TRP’s online library of behavior change resources. Following the workshop, the MRC will invite participants to apply for in-depth consultation sessions and up to 20 hours of technical assistance, guiding you through developing your own customized CBSM messaging and outreach plans.
DATE: April 1st, 2026
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
MASTER COMPOSTER
The MRC is seeking partners that are interested in hosting the Master Composter training course. This in-person class will embed foundational composting knowledge in the community by teaching residents and small businesses the history, biology, and methods of sustainable organics management.
To prepare our trainers to deliver this 10-hour course we are hosting a one-day Facilitator Workshop on March 12th. During the workshop we'll show you how to teach the Master Composter class and how to empower community members into becoming local compost champions, introducing them to tools like manuals and hands-on activities.
You'll leave with the curriculum, training materials, and support needed to run a successful program!
Think this might be a good fit for your organization? Click the button below to schedule a time to talk more with us about this opportunity. We'll guide you through everything you need to know and set up your registration for the trainer workshop.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: March 12th, 2026
9 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: MRC Office at 602 W. Ionia St.
Next Workshop: March, 2027
TOOLKITS COMING SOON
RECYCLE, MI COMMUNITY TOOLKIT
The MRC is in the process of developing a comprehensive toolkit that will help provide guidance and tools to level up recycling and organics education in communities across Michigan. This toolkit features photos, messaging, language use, best-practices, and videos that can be shared and integrated into education at all levels. The toolkit will launch in April-May 2026.
Practical Guides
Promotional Templates
Photo Stock Library
Social Media
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 2026
Materials and Recycling Management (MRM) Training is the one-stop comprehensive, interactive Michigan materials management learning experience. Participants will grow their knowledge of the integrated waste management industry with special focus on sustainable materials management topics of import today. Join us to develop understanding of key systems, be connected with helpful tools and resources, and make valuable peer-to-peer and peer-to-expert connections that will support the development and maintenance of successful programs.
FALL 2026
Explore opportunities in compost and connect with Michigan organics professionals to Level Up Organics Recycling in Michigan! This full day education and networking event will focus on key issues surrounding organics management in the state of Michigan bringing together large and small compost operations and municipalities from around the state to move Michigan to a more circular economy. This year we will brining focus to the generation of compost, scaling from residential collections to business and commercial service provision.
DECEMBER 2026
Master Recycler is a localized education tool, and the Michigan Recycling Coalition wants to get YOU ready to host the program in your community! By attending the Master Recycler Facilitator Workshop you'll learn how to transform sustainability-minded members of your community into experts that can help their neighbors be better recyclers.
Think of this event as a "train-the-trainer" opportunity, where you'll learn how to embed recycling knowledge in your community by teaching the Master Recycler class.
LEARN MORE!
Have questions about our events, not sure where you fit in to education? Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can level up your recycling and organics outreach.