Reducing Solid Waste

Jim Newton, P.E., DEE

Course Outline

This eight hour course provides valuable information for those individuals who run businesses that generate solid wastes and the solid waste professionals who manage and manage a company’s solid waste operation.   Completion of this course will provide the student the necessary information and testing to meet the continuing education requirements in order to renew their licenses.  It was designed by an instructor who has developed and implemented numerous similar training courses. 

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Understand key waste reduction approaches;
• Understand the benefits of reducing solid waste;
• Understand the concept of waste prevention;
• Understand using examples, how to reduce wastes;
• Understand the concept of recycling;
• Understand the concept of composting;
• Understand how environmental practices can enhance public image;
• Understand how reducing waste cuts disposal costs;
• Understand how to incorporate solid waste decisions into purchasing;
• Understand how to set up a waste reduction team;
• Understand the typical tasks of a waste reduction team;
• Understand the make up of a waste reduction team;
• Understand key components of a waste assessment;
• Understand the purposes of a waste assessment;
• Understand how to determine the best approach to conduct a waste assessment;
• Understand key  records to evaluate;
• Understand how to take a facility walk through;
• Understand how to conduct a waste sort;
• Understand how to document the waste assessment;
• Understand how to renegotiate a waste hauling contract;
• Understand how to compile solid waste options;
• Understand how to screen solid waste options;
• Understand how to analyze solid waste options;
• Understand how to select solid waste options;
• Understand how to implement selected solid waste options;
• Understand how to educate and train employees about a solid waste program;
• Understand how to monitor progress;
• Understand how to evaluate the solid waste and waste reduction programs;
• Understand the questions to ask potential buyers of recyclable solid wastes;
• Understand how to encourage employee participation;
• Understand the various worksheets that can be used to conduct the solid waste program;
• Understand key terms;
• Understand typical volume to weight conversions; and
• Understand common recyclable materials.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this course is any professional who is responsible for the management of solid wastes.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendees of this course will understand what solid waste is, how to evaluate the current solid waste practices and how to develop innovative programs to reduce the generation of solid waste, both in terms of cost and quantity.

Course Introduction

Until recently, companies might not have paid much attention to the municipal solid waste’ they produce.  Many businesses have been content simply to establish and manage an efficient system for removing trash.  Times have changed, however, and so has waste management.  In many areas of the country, companies are seeing a dramatic increase in the complexity and costs of managing their waste.  At the same time, public concern over the effects of all this waste has grown significantly.  Today, more and more customers are taking environmental considerations into account when purchasing products and services. 

This course is designed to assist businesses and solid waste professionals in setting up a program to evaluate their current solid waste practices and seek new and innovative ways to reduce their sold wastes, both in quantity and costs.

Course Content

This course is based upon the US EPA document “Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste”, EPA 530-K-92-004, November 1993.

The links to each chapter are as follows:

Table of Content

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

About Worksheets

Worksheet 1

Worksheet 1a

Worksheet 2

Worksheet 3

Worksheet 4

Worksheet 5

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Course Summary

This course discusses how solid wastes are generated, how to conduct an evaluation of solid waste practices and how to design a program to reduce both solid waste quantities and costs.

Related Links

For additional information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

US Environmental Protection Agency

 

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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