Long Beach residents can register for the City’s Compost and Recycling Ambassador Program beginning Jan. 12.
The seven-week program is free to residents and will be held in-person, in both English and Spanish from February to March. Staff from Long Beach’s Energy and Environmental Services Department will lead lectures, hands-on experiences and collaborations to teach participants about waste reduction strategies, as well as recycling history, systems and practices.
Compost and recycling ambassadors will also receive training on two primary methods of home composting: vermicomposting and backyard composting. Plus, they will learn about the City’s Organics Collection program, which helps households separate yard trimmings and food scraps that are not suitable for home composting.
Thanks to funding from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, Puente Latino Association will offer the program in Spanish.
The spring 2026 CRA program will be held in-person at the Department of Energy and Environmental Services offices (2929 E. Willow St.) from 9 a.m. to noon on the following dates:
- English course: Thursdays, Feb. 19 through March 26. The seventh session, which will also serve as a graduation class, is set for Thursday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Spanish course: Saturdays, Feb. 21 through March 28. The seventh session, which will also serve as a graduation class, is set for Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Community members who complete the program by attending at least six of the seven required in-person classes and completing 25 volunteer hours will be certified as Compost and Recycling Ambassadors. These residents will bridge the gap between awareness and action by motivating friends, families, co-workers, peers and community members; demonstrate sustainable behaviors; and enhance the City’s ability to reach more people through a network of passionate community members and educators.
Registration for spring courses opens Monday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. and will close when the class and waitlist are full. Residents ages 18 and older may register for the upcoming sessions at lbcity.info/CRA. All experience levels are welcome. Space is limited, and preregistration is required.
The City will also host CRA sessions this fall, and the schedule will be announced at a later date. Visit lbcity.info/CRA to stay updated.
