Thank you for committing to helping others in Dakota County reduce waste and recycle right.
Payback hours
Recycling Ambassadors help educate the public about waste reduction, 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, and
- 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 so we can see 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.
Compost bin and rain barrel distribution events
Thursday, May 15, 3:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 8:30–11 a.m.
Empire Maintenance Facility, 2800 160th St. W., Rosemount
Volunteers will help distribute backyard compost bins and rain barrels to those who bought them, assist with check-in and load vehicles. The compost bin and rain barrel weigh less than 10–15 pounds. Email
John Exner or call 952-891-7112.
Outside at Oak Ridge
Thursday, May 29, 5–7 p.m.
Oak Ridge Elementary, 4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Eagan
Volunteers will talk to young students and families about recycling at home. Email
Cassidy Carlisle.
Mattress/Box Spring Drop-Off & Document Shred Event
Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m.–noon
Cal Ruedy Public Works Facility, 1225 Progress Drive, Hastings
Volunteers will greet and direct participants to the correct disposal areas and could assist with unloading confidential documents for shredding. All materials and gear will be provided. This role is outdoors and involves walking. Volunteers should be prepared for varying weather conditions.
Register online or email
Violet Penman .
Explore West St. Paul Days – WestFest
Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Harmon Park, 230 West Bernard St., West St. Paul
Volunteers will educate residents about recycling and test their knowledge using the recycling wheel game. Volunteers will need to pick up a table, recycling wheel and recycling education information from West St. Paul City Hall prior to the event and return afterwards. Email
Courtney Selstad or call 651-552-4118.
Kaposia Days Craft Fair, Flea Market and Small Business Expo
Saturday, June 28, 2 shifts: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. or 1–5 p.m.
Central Square Community Center, 100 Seventh Ave. N., South St. Paul
Volunteers will help staff the recycling education table. Email Courtney Selstad or call 651-552-4118.
Furniture Swap
Friday, July 25, 3–6 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m.–noon
Sports Arena, 14452 Hayes Road, Apple Valley
Volunteers will help lift and move furniture. Ability to lift bulky and heavier items is needed. Email
Cassidy Carlisle..
Leprechaun Days
Friday, July 25, 5–8 p.m.
Central Park, 2893 145th St. W., Rosemount
Join us at Leprechaun Days to help educate attendees on recycling and waste management. Volunteers will staff the table, assist with the Recycling Wheel and answer questions about how to recycle correctly. This event is outdoors in a grassy area. A chair can be provided for volunteers if requested.
Register online or email
Violet Penman.
National Night Out
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Lions Park, 1043 Fifth St. W., Hastings
Help educate attendees on recycling and waste management. Volunteers will staff the table, assist with the recycling wheel and answer questions about how to recycle correctly. This event is outdoors in a grassy area; a chair may be provided for volunteers if requested.
Register online or email
Violet Penman.
Eagan Food Truck Festival
Friday, Aug. 8, 4-9 p.m.
Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan
Volunteers will be monitoring trash and recycling bins for
r.World cups and placing them into special collection bins. Email
Cassidy Carlisle.
Puzzle Swap
Saturday, Aug. 30, 10—11:30 a.m.
Heritage Library
Volunteers will help set out puzzles for display (by number) and weigh puzzles on the way out. Email
Cassidy Carlisle.
Ongoing volunteer opportunities
Multifamily Recycling Program
Refer your apartment, condo or townhome to get recycling help. The following cities are seeking Recycling Ambassadors 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. Recycling Ambassadors 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.
Loaves and Fishes
-
Community meal sites: Assist in preparing and packaging meals for distribution or distribute meals and help clean up during and after meal service.
-
Commissary kitchens: Assist chefs in preparing bulk amounts of rescued food to be later distributed throughout our meal programming. Shifts may also include cleaning and sanitizing all kitchen equipment and workstations. This is a great opportunity for larger groups or corporate teams who are interested in working together to create a large impact in a short amount of time.
No experience is necessary for any of these shifts as our on-staff site coordinators will walk you through everything.
Online signup, email or contact Latisha Moening, 612-377-9810 ext.103.
Thrift Store Helpers
Sort donations, tag merchandise, organize, update displays and more.
Food distribution
Volunteering at food shelves counts for Recycling Ambassador 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 Recycling Coordinators
Presentations with scripts available upon request.
- Recycling 101
- Recycling Mythbusters
- Lazy Guide to Composting
- Reduce Chemicals at Home