Opportunities From: Spokane County Regional Waste Ambassadors

Connect with fellow Waste Ambassadors at our first Social and Collection Event of the year!

Join us for a casual meet-and-greet with fellow Waste Ambassadors—enjoy a snack, reconnect, and get a sneak peek at what’s ahead in 2026.

We’ll also be hosting our first collection event of 2026! Bring holiday gift wrap, bags, ribbons, bows, greeting cards—all those festive extras that can be upcycled. These items will be repurposed and redistributed at a Waste Ambassador outreach event later in the year.

Together, let’s keep reusable items out of the waste stream. Invite friends and family to collect holiday materials over the season, and Waste Ambassadors will happily store them for next year’s celebrations!

The social will take place immediately following our January orientation session at the Spokane County Water Resource Education Center located at 1004 N. Freya St. Spokane, WA 99202

Join your fellow Waste Ambassadors and the best tour guides (in the world) for a behind the scenes tour of Spokane's Waste to Energy Facility where we burn trash and generate enough electricity to power 13,000 homes and businesses.

This tour is most appropriate for adults and children 8yrs and up. Please indicate in the notes how many people will be in your group. All are welcome!

All participants must wear closed-toe shoes.

Thanks for your interest in volunteering at Art Salvage, attending an orientation is the first step in the volunteer process. 

At the orientation we will give you a tour of our space, share the mission of our organization, and answer any questions you might have. 

Interested volunteers that are under 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a caregiver for the initial orientation and for all volunteer shifts.

Join the Spokane County Regional Waste Ambassador Program!

Are you passionate about waste reduction and creating a sustainable future? The Spokane County Waste Ambassador program empowers community members to make a difference through improved practices, ongoing education, innovation, and volunteerism.

Nest Orientation: Dec 3rd 5:00p.m. - 6:30p.m. Water Resource Center 1004 N Freya St.

This program takes a broad approach to waste reduction, delving into topics like food waste, composting, litter, textile waste, and the climate impacts of materials management. You'll also gain insight into our local waste systems and how to drive meaningful change. How to Get Started: Register for a one-time orientation and begin your journey to improving the health and well-being of people and the planet. Be a part of the solution—join us in making our community a cleaner, greener place to live!

Spokane Zero Waste is seeking volunteers to manage check in and general event flow at upcoming events. No sewing experience needed. 

Jan 7: Scale House Market 4422 E. 8th Ave. 4-7pm

Feb 7: Hillyard Library 4110 N. Cook St. 11:30-3pm

March 7: North Spokane Library 44 E. Hawthorne Rd. 11:30-3pm

Waste Ambassadors are invited to read the newly published book "The Problem with Plastic" by Judith Enck during the months of January and February (check book study opportunity to borrow a copy). Join our discussion group as we dive into the topic of plastics and what we can do in our daily lives to combat this growing problem. Participants will have the option to assist in developing and planning a "Plastic Free July" outreach activity or campaign that will launch in 2026 (not required to participate in discussion).

We will have two discussion group opportunities. 

Please note, virtual option is only available on February 24th.

Thanks for your interest in volunteering at Art Salvage, attending an orientation is the first step in the volunteer process.

At the orientation we will give you a tour of our space, share the mission of our organization, and answer any questions you might have.

Interested volunteers that are under 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a caregiver for the initial orientation and for all volunteer shifts.

How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late?

Be among the first to dive into “The Problem with Plastic”, publishing December 2.

The Spokane County Regional Waste Ambassadors have secured early copies, and we invite you to join us for a thoughtful, solutions-focused book study.

Together, we’ll explore the complex issue of plastic pollution, share insights, and discuss realistic steps we can take to reduce plastic use in our daily lives. We’ll also look at ways to empower and educate others in the Spokane community. Participants will have the opportunity to help plan a collaborative outreach project or event aimed at addressing plastic waste locally.

A limited number of books will be available to borrow. Copies will be mailed to registered participants during the first week of January, and all books will be donated to Spokane library branches after the study concludes.

Join us as we learn, connect, and take action for a cleaner, healthier community.

Thanks for your interest in volunteering at Art Salvage, attending an orientation is the first step in the volunteer process.

At the orientation we will give you a tour of our space, share the mission of our organization, and answer any questions you might have.

Interested volunteers that are under 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a caregiver for the initial orientation and for all volunteer shifts.

Join us for an enlightening and practical session with Spokane Country Regional Waste Ambassadors, as we delve into the art and science of composting. Discover how the aerobic decomposition of organic materials by micro and macro-organisms can transform your kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich, crumbly, and earthy-smelling compost.

By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to start your own composting journey, turning everyday waste into a valuable soil amendment. Embrace a sustainable lifestyle, connect with nature, and join a community of eco-conscious individuals dedicated to making a positive environmental impact.

Date: Saturday, April 4 -10:00 a.m.
Location: Shadle Library 2111 W. Wellesley

We need volunteers to help us with our compost fair at the upcoming Arbor Day Festival at Finch. You do not need to be an expert on composting to participate! 

Volunteers will host various stations as part of the fair including:

This event is not possible without our amazing volunteers!

Join us for an enlightening and practical session with Spokane Country Regional Waste Ambassadors, as we delve into the art and science of composting. Discover how the aerobic decomposition of organic materials by micro and macro-organisms can transform your kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich, crumbly, and earthy-smelling compost.

By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to start your own composting journey, turning everyday waste into a valuable soil amendment. Embrace a sustainable lifestyle, connect with nature, and join a community of eco-conscious individuals dedicated to making a positive environmental impact.

Date: Saturday, May 30 - 10:00-11:30am
Location: Shadle Library 2111 W. Wellesley

Learn the Basics of Worm Composting and Build Your Own Indoor Bin!

Join our hands-on workshop to discover nature’s best decomposers—worms! You'll learn the fundamentals of worm composting, including how to set up and maintain a bin, care for your worms, and harvest nutrient-rich castings.

All materials are provided. This workshop is open to Spokane County residents.

Spokane County Regional Waste Ambassadors and Art Salvage are teaming up for the second anual School-Cycle Supply Drive. The 2026 event will take place at City and County library branches during the months of June and July. We need volunteers who are willing to adopt a library branch to monitor and collect donations from mid-June through the end of July. Materials will need to be delivered to the Waste to Energy Administration Bldg. before our packaging and distribution event in mid-August. Please indicate the library branch you are interested in monitoring in the notes section when signing up. 

Library branches that need monitors are as follows:

Spokane Public Libraries

Spokane County Library District

Learn about soil science and become certified as a soil science consultant by one of the leading soil science institutes. We will manage your tuition, most of the class in online, volunteer and teaching time is expected by agreement. Please contact Kathryn for more nformation.

Learn how to manage land to hold water it gets through rain. These projects can be small and permaculture oriented, or large with a city or regional focus. Certification comes through one of the premier world-wide land hydrology organizations. Contact Kathryn for more information.

Volunteer Role: Sewing Teaching & Menders of all kinds

Do you love to sew, knit, darn crochet, or do other textile related crafts? Would you like to be part of a supportive community sharing these skills to reduce textile waste and empower others to do the same? Do you have a few hours you'd like to spend with your community?

Yes? Then you’re invited to become a Mend-It Cafe mender and/or teach classes in these crafts as part of Spokane Zero Waste programs. Learn more about Mend-It Cafe and Up-cycle Fashion Lab here: https://www.spokanezerowaste.org/mend-it-cafe

Mend-It Cafes and classes take place in various locations throughout Spokane and require a time commitment of a few hours.

Fill out this short survey to become a Mend-It Cafe mender.

Interested in sharing your time, ideas, passion, and expertise to serve the Spokane community? Consider joining the Spokane Zero Waste Board of Directors, a group of volunteers committed to fulfilling the organization's mission.

We are looking specifically for folks with skills in the following areas: fundraising and leadership

We are a group of creative, passionate people who believe there are low-waste or waste free solutions for almost every aspect of daily life. We work to build a more resilient community through education, modeling, and advocating for low waste policies.

Meet the current Board: https://www.spokanezerowaste.org/aboutus

Ready to learn more? Please submit your interest here - https://forms.gle/JeFQiujVp2L5nYqM8

Join Our Volunteer Team Feed Spokane is a food rescue agency that helps save food and then works together with many organizations that get food to people – our neighbors, children, families, and seniors who do not have enough to eat. We’re looking for helpers like you! You can drive our vans, help load and unload food, sort it, and give it to others who need it. If you want to be a part of this amazing team, sign up now, and our friendly Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with you soon. Join us in the fight against hunger!

Apply to volunteer by visiting our website or completing the volunteer application here: Become A Volunteer – Feed Spokane

Assist with prepping fabrics and other materials for sewing classes. 

Do you love to write? Want to help educate our community on waste reduction and inspire change? Spokane Zero Waste seeks writers who can contribute one article per month to our newsletter. Helpful content topics would include local events, trending waste related stories associated with SZW priorities, and sourcing quarterly guest contributors such as students from High School or university environmental clubs, waste reduction innovators and up cyclers in fashion and art. If you're interested in this opportunity, please send a writing sample and a short description why waste reduction topics and initiatives are of interest. Prefer a 6-month commitment.