Wednesdays and Fridays
February 3 – 26, 2021 from 3:00 – 4:15 pm ET

“Waste is a design flaw.” (Kate Kreba)

In keeping with the notion that waste is a design flaw, SWANA's Zero Waste Principles and Practices course challenges you to create a plan for achieving zero waste that works for your community. Learn how to infuse zero waste concepts and practices into your programs, communications and community engagement, and access new partners and funding to help you reach your new waste reduction goals.

DATES: The course debriefings will be held Wednesdays and Fridays, February 3 – 26, 2021, from 3:00 – 4:15 pm ET. Please visit Course Schedule to view full schedule.

OBJECTIVES: As a result of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the components of a Zero Waste System
• Evaluate waste composition data to determine what materials could be prevented, reduced, reused, recycled, or composted
• Describe the flow of materials over their entire lifecycle
• Prepare a Zero Waste collection system
• Describe options for residential Zero Waste collection systems
• Describe options for commercial Zero Waste management systems
• Evaluate markets for recovered materials
• Discuss the types of technologies available to process organic materials
• Describe Zero Waste management of challenging material types
• Set up and run a Zero Waste event
• Design a behavior change program
• Describe the options for program funding
• Develop contracts that assist in achieving Zero Waste goals

CONTENT: The Zero Waste Principles & Practices course encompasses a broad overview of Zero Waste principles and practices in 10 modules covering public policy, programs, technology and measurement:

• Introduction to Zero Waste, including a survey of different definitions and perspectives
• What’s In Your Waste Stream?
• Upstream, Midstream and Downstream
• Collections Options
• Processing Technology Options
• Managing Organics
• Public Venues and Challenging Materials
• Changing Behavior through Education and Outreach
• Financing and Funding
• Contracting and Partnerships

FORMAT: This course is designed as a 100% virtual learning experience that combines self-study and real-time, instructor-led debriefings. In the debriefings, SWANA-certified faculty members guide you through the key concepts of each lesson and teach you how to apply what you're learning to your everyday work life. The 75-minute debriefings will be held twice a week for four weeks in February 2021.

MATERIALS: You will receive access to 10 video recordings of the lessons, the Zero Waste Principles and Practices eCoursebook, and supplemental materials on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. (The hard-copy coursebook is available at an additional charge.)

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT: Upon completion of the course, SWANA awards participants 30 continuing education credits to apply toward a current SWANA certification.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Ideal for entry- and mid-level managers of programs and systems serving local governments and other industry professionals that work in an advisory or consulting capacity with municipal programs and staff

CANCELLATION POLICY: You may cancel your registration through Sunday, January 10, 2021, 11:59 pm ET. A $100 cancellation fee will be assessed. Requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to training@swana.org. There will be no cancellations on and after Monday, January 11, once the course materials have been made available.

NEXT STEPS: Check out the Faculty and Course Schedule, then Register using the links provided in the ribbon above.)

The Zero Waste Principles & Practices certification course is a joint undertaking of SWANA and the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA). CRRA is dedicated to achieving environmental sustainability in and beyond California through Zero Waste strategies. SWANA, with its work in 47 chapters across the United States and Canada, is committed to educating professionals working in the industry and to moving the industry as a whole from a focus on solid waste management to resource management.

Leading through disruption requires a heightened level of executive fitness, and that’s what WASTECON is all about.

SWANA’s executive leadership summit for the solid waste and recycling industries, WASTECON’s high value content is designed to advance executive leadership effectiveness and inspire your teams. WASTECON will be transformed into a virtual conference January 26-28, 2021.