Spending My Summer as a WM Recycle Corps Intern in my Hometown

Growing up in the natural beauty we call home sparked my interest in the environment.

This summer I served my hometown as a WM Recycle Corps intern as part of WM’s innovative, award-winning recycling outreach.

My role included sharing recycling information at community events, as well as with local businesses and managers at apartment and condominium complexes. It was extra special to work in Snoqualmie because it meant helping my hometown.

I moved to Snoqualmie when I was a baby and went to college in Bellingham, where I earned my environmental science degree. Living in the Snoqualmie Valley surrounded by the Cascade Mountains is how I became interested in the environment and finding ways to protect it.

Recycling is one of those ways. As an intern, I helped my hometown reduce waste and improve recycling by visiting Snoqualmie businesses and apartment and condominium complexes. It was very rewarding because I returned to – and helped – the small coffee shops and businesses I went to so much growing up. I was also excited to show my intern friends my hometown and all the local hangout spots. I even visited my elementary school, Cascade View, and the high school I graduated from, Mount Si. Go Wildcats!

One highlight of my summer was a trip to City Hall, where we presented to the mayor and city council. We discussed recycling contamination problems and explained the importance of composting. This is when I realized my work as an intern was actually making a difference.

Working as a lab research assistant in college, and having graduated and completed this internship, I realize the ways I can use my degree and continue on this education path. Overall, this internship was a great experience.

Interested in this internship? Email recyclenw@wm.com to be notified when applications open.