Thank you for committing to helping others in Dakota County reduce waste and recycle more.
Payback hours
Recycling Ambassadors help educate the public about waste prevention, recycling and composting. Choose an independent project and/or attend opportunities that you hear about through the program to complete your 30 hours of payback.
Payback activities must:
- Be located in Dakota County unless otherwise approved by program coordinator
- Implement a system or program that diverts materials from the waste stream
or
provide one-on-one education to residents or businesses
Report hours
Tracking volunteer time provides an official record of progress toward your 30-hour volunteer time commitment and helps us recognize the benefits of the Recycling Ambassador program.
Report hours through the Dakota County
Volunteer Management System. You can also track your hours to-date in your profile .
Report your hours
Learn How to Add Your Hours
Please contact
Garrett Zaffke with any issues with the online system.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Contact the person listed to volunteer or sign-up online if that is an option. We value your safety. Please do not volunteer in person if it makes you uncomfortable or if you think you are sick. You will receive specific safety instructions for each event.
Touch-a-Truck Tabling Event - Saturday, May 11, 8:45 a.m.–noon
Veterans Memorial Community Center parking lot
8055 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights
Help host a booth to educate event attendees on recycling topics.
Ally Sutherland, 651-604-8511
Minneapolis Toy Library Garage Sale – Saturday, May 18, noon–4 p.m.
7815 133rd St. W., Apple Valley
Help set up the annual toy library fundraiser.
Sign up online or contact Rebecca Nutter.
Puzzle Swap – Saturday, June 22, 9:30-11 a.m.
Galaxie Library, Apple Valley
Help staff place and weigh puzzles as residents swap.
Cassidy Carlisle, 952-895-4515
Kaposia Days Recycling Table - Saturday, June 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (three shifts available: 8:30-11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 2:30-5:30 p.m.)
Central Square streets, 100 Seventh Ave. N, South St. Paul (outdoor street-fair style event)
Help city staff at the Kaposia Days Craft, Flea Market and Small Business Fair where they'll have a booth to chat with residents about recycling.
Courtney Selstad, 651-552-4118
Loaves and Fishes Meal Distribution – various shifts
We have opportunities for individuals and small groups to help us package and serve meals at our various meal sites (Eagan, Inver Grove Heights). Meal sites are serving to-go meals and offer a reduced number of volunteers in our kitchens at any given time, allowing volunteers to practice safe social distancing and allowing guests to receive a hot and healthy meal. No experience is necessary. Site coordinators will walk you through everything.
Online signup or contact
Lonnie Evans, 612-377-9810 ext.103
Food Waste Sorter – Monday–Friday, 10–11:30 a.m.
Help The Open Door Mobile Pantry sort donated food that can't be given to hungry families. Food – mostly produce – will go to feed pigs at Barthold Farm.
Online signup, choose Food Waste Sorter
Adam Hoffman, 651-605-2891
Coffee Grounds Rescue – flexible schedule
Collect coffee grounds from local coffee shops for The Open Door and tend the compost piles.
Sign up online. Alpa Goswami, 651-600-9244
Multifamily Recycling Program
Refer your apartment, condo or townhome to get recycling help. The following cities are seeking Master Recyclers to connect them with multifamily properties. The recycling coordinator can provide free recycling resources, such as recycling bins, labels, tote bags and more, through the
Dakota County Multifamily Recycling Program.
Business Recycling Program
Refer your workplace or place of worship to get recycling help, start an organics (food waste) collection program or reduce waste. The county will work with you and the organization to plan and implement waste improvements. Free recycling resources include color-coded recycling bins, labels, employee training and more. Master Recyclers can help by being a project lead and specific improvements such as labeling bins.
Sign up online to get a free, onsite assessment and learn more about free resources or contact
Elizabeth Logas, 952-891-7025 .
Thrift Store Helpers
Sort donations, tag merchandise, organize, update displays and more.
Food distribution
Volunteering at food shelves counts for Master Recycler hours because much of the food is rescued. You can also help collect excess produce from neighborhood and community gardens to donate to food shelves. Go even further by coordinating a gleaning event at a farm to gather excess food.
Resources
City Waste Abatement Contacts
Presentations with scripts available upon request.
- Recycling 101
- Recycling Mythbusters
- Lazy Guide to Composting
- Reduce Chemicals at Home