Introduction To Recycling (ITR) Class

SAVE THE DATE: ITR Fall 2026, 9am – 4pm
Day 1, Monday, 10/5 – Recology SF
Day 2, Tuesday, 10/6 – on Zoom

Register here.

Since 1995, NCRA has offered Introduction to Recycling (ITR) over 38 times. A quintessential exploration of the history of the Recycling and Zero Waste movement, ITR offers both newcomers and seasoned professionals a critical overview of current concepts, practices and terminology with guest speakers, thought-provoking exercises and group discussions.

All are welcome – $75 per person – managers, employees, municipal staff, elected officials, community advocates and students. Invite the whole team! Group discounts and Arthur Robinson Boone scholarships available. To apply, please send a note to staff via the contact page.

Gain a critical overview of current concepts, practices and terminology with guest speakers, thought-provoking lectures, exercises and group discussions.

Day 1: MONDAY, October 5, 9AM – 4PM @ Recology SF, San Francisco

The tour will begin with a presentation in the Environmental Learning Center about trash, recycling and composting in San Francisco, followed by a walk through the Transfer Station site, and a visit of the Artist in Residence Studio.

The final stop, at Pier 96, is a tour of Recycle Central where all of the blue bin materials are sorted. To visit Pier 96, you must drive or carpool from Tunnel Road – no Uber or bicycles.

DAY 2: TUESDAY, October 6, 9AM – 4PM via Zoom, with Class lectures and guest speaker presentations.

Taught by current NCRA Vice Presidents: Devin Jackson, and Naama Brenner Abramovitch,  and former Presidents: Steve Lautze and Ruth Abbe, and organized by Executive Director, Portia Sinnott.

Testamonials

Past Guest Speakers – left to right
Ruth Herrera, Nothing Wasted Consulting and formerly with The Source Zero – Zero Waste Shop and San Jose Conservation Corps
Rod Muir, Sure-Close and Sierra Club Canada Foundation
Felisia Castañeda, HF&H Consultants and formerly Recology San Francisco

This class was developed by Arthur Boone (teaching above), President of the Center for Recycling Research, who has been involved in the recycling movement since 1983 when he began a recycling program in Oakland. He served as President of NCRA in 1987 and from 2011 to 2013, and is the founder of Recycling Update.

ITR Curriculum