Long Beach Recycles

COMPOST AND RECYCLING AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Inspire your community to reduce waste, compost, and recycle! 

The City of Long Beach Compost and Recycling Ambassador Program (CRA) is an opportunity to explore, in-depth, the fascinating world of waste reduction, recycling, and at-home composting. This seven-week program is offered at no cost to residents and combines lectures, hands-on experiences, and collaboration to teach community members about waste reduction strategies; recycling history, systems, and practices; and provides training on the two primary methods of home composting—vermicomposting and backyard composting. Community members will apply the knowledge they gain in the class by becoming a resource for the community through volunteer opportunities. Community members who complete the program by attending at least six of the seven required courses and completing the 25 required volunteer hours will be certified as Compost and Recycling Ambassadors. 

Who should apply?

Become a Compost and Recycling Ambassador

FAQs

• Who are Compost and Recycling Ambassadors (CRAs)? 

  Compost and Recycling Ambassadors, or “CRA’s” for short, are a network of Long Beach community members that are trained on waste reduction, recycling right, composting, and effective communication skills through a seven-week course taught by City staff, industry experts, and community leaders.   

  After attending the seven-week session, participants commit to completing 25 volunteer hours within the Long Beach community to become certified Compost and Recycling Ambassadors.  

• What is the Goal of the Compost and Recycling Ambassador Program? 

  Since the launch of the CRA program, our goal has been to bridge the gap between awareness and action with the help from passionate community members who can influence their friends, families, co-workers, peers, neighbors, and community to reduce waste and recycle right in their homes, schools, workplaces, and public spaces.  

  We encourage ambassadors to learn more about the important topics covered in class, with the goal that participants will feel empowered and will then want to use their knowledge and experiences to engage and educate their community through exciting volunteer opportunities and events.   

• How Have Compost and Recycling Ambassadors Made a Difference in Long Beach? 

  Not only are they strengthening the City's ability to reach more people, but passionate CRAs are demonstrating the sustainable behaviors (and creating social norms) that we want to see in Long Beach. There’s no better way to engage fellow Long Beach residents than by having our own family, friends, coworkers, peers, and neighbors be the ones motivating us to reduce waste and recycle right in our homes, workplaces, schools, and community spaces.  

  Since the start of the CRA program in Fall 2022:  

  1. ESB has trained over 100 Long Beach residents to become Compost and Recycling Ambassadors.  

  2. Compost and Recycling Ambassadors have completed over 1308 volunteer hours throughout the city.  

• Who Can Be a Compost and Recycling Ambassador? 

  This program is for adults 18 and older who live in Long Beach and have an interest in learning more about waste reduction, recycling, composting, and becoming a community resource. No prior recycling or composting knowledge is required, and all levels of knowledge and experience are welcome!  

  Before applying, please ensure that you meet the following requirements:  

  • You are 18 years of age or older  

  • You live in Long Beach  

  • You are available for six out of seven sessions 

  • You can commit to 25 hours of volunteering within 12 months of completing the in-person session.  

• Where Can I Complete My Volunteer Hours? 

  We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities with the City team as well as with partner organizations.  

  CRA’s have the flexibility to create and pursue volunteer opportunities that interest them and serve their communities’ unique needs, but we do ask for volunteering to be related to either waste reduction, recycling, or sustainability topics and require pre-approval.    

  Important reminder that all volunteer hours must be completed within the City of Long Beach.  

  Examples of volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to:  

  • Participating in tabling events with the City team  

  • Hosting or co-hosting a workshop in your community  

  • Volunteering with a partner organization  

  Once the 25-hour commitment is fulfilled, participants are considered certified Compost and Recycling Ambassadors and are encouraged to continue their volunteer service.  

• How can I apply to become a Compost and Recycling Ambassador (CRA)?

  To become a CRA, community members must apply for the upcoming session by clicking the button below and filling out the entire application. Space is limited, and community members will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The link to apply for the upcoming session will be posted when it becomes available.

• What Happens If the Session Reaches Maximum Capacity? 

  Applicants will be notified via email that the session has reached capacity and will be placed on the waitlist in the order in which the applications were submitted. Please be aware that there is no guarantee that a spot will become available while on the waitlist, but there are cases where confirmed participants drop before the session begins.   

  If a spot becomes available, the program coordinator will reach out to you via email or by phone to confirm if you are still interested in participating.  

• Can My Event Get Help from Compost and Recycling Ambassadors?

  If you have a project or event that could use CRA volunteer support, email the event details to the CRA program coordinator at CRA@longbeach.gov or submit your inquiry in the form linked here.  

  Applicable volunteer opportunities for Compost and Recycling Ambassadors can include:  

  • Attending tabling events  

  • Giving educational talks or presentations to all ages