Name: Introduction to Recycling
Start: 2026-01-26T09:00:00-08:00
End: 2026-01-27T16:00:00-08:00
Location: 401 Tunnel Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134-2922, United States

♻️ Introduction to Recycling 2026 ♻️
Join NCRA for a two-day deep dive into Recycling and Zero Waste fundamentals. Learn from former NCRA presidents and current board members through engaging lectures, guest speakers, hands-on exercises, and group discussions.
📍 Recology SF, San Francisco
🗓️ January 26–27 | 9 AM–4 PM
💲 $50 per person | Scholarships available
No one turned away for lack of funds.
The rapid growth of the recycling industry - 550% since 1989 (CalRecycle estimate), means that experienced recyclers need to continually stay up-to-date and also share knowledge with employees, job seekers, municipal staff, elected officials and community advocates.
Since 1995, NCRA has offered Introduction to Recycling approximately 36 times. A quintessential exploration of the history of the recycling and Zero Waste movement, Introduction to Recycling offers both newcomers and seasoned professionals a critical overview of current concepts, practices and terminology.
All are welcome – managers, employees, municipal staff, elected officials, community advocates and students. Invite the whole team! Group discounts and scholarships available. To apply, please send a note to staff via the contact page.
Three hours of prep work reviewing websites and other resources will be sent out in advance via Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). It is to your advantage to review the LMS resources and assignments in advance. Much of each session will be spent listening to the instructors and guest speakers, discussing concepts and completing thought-provoking exercises.
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.