In order to effectively implement successful policy, a practitioner must understand the entire system rather than just one piece. While the primary focus of all of the courses will be on the policy aspects of composting, recycling, and waste prevention the courses will also incorporate the financial, technical, community, and infrastructure aspects that you need to achieve your goals.

In support of this goal the advisory board has decided to recruit professionals from industry to lead the courses and provide practical real world experience to practitioners. The lead instructors will be augmented by a series of guest speakers who bring focused expertise and experience.

The learning format of the courses will primarily focus around lectures, case studies, and discussions. Concepts such as (but not limited to) Green Procurement, Natural Step, and LifeCycle Assessment will be integrated into all of the courses. This will be a highly interactive learning environment, and we expect the specific curriculum to shift to take into account the pre-existing knowledge and experience of the students.

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Winter Course

Practice and Policy of Composting

Schedule: Wednesdays, Jan. 6-March 10, 6-9 p.m.; 3 credits $1,650 or 3 CEU's $995. Instructors: Susan Thoman, Kim Ducoté, and Susan Robinson

Nearly one quarter of all municipal solid waste is comprised of compostable materials. This course will teach you how to efficiently and cost effectively remove compostable materials from the waste stream and deal with them in a beneficial manner.

Topics will include:

• Policy overview of federal, state and local municipalities
• Local drivers for both rural and urban areas
• Overview of different systems
• Compostable collection and educating the public
• Technology - current and trends
• End markets

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course

Practice and Policy of Recycling

Schedule: Wednesdays, March 31-June 2, 6-9 p.m.; 3 Credits $1,650 or 3 CEU's $995. Instructors: Susan Thoman, Kim Ducoté, and Susan Robinson

This course will focus on dealing with the remainder of the waste stream that can re-enter the material stream in a fiscally and environmentally sustainable manner.

Topics will include:

• History (how did we get to where we are at)
• Overview of different systems
• Where are we at and where are we going?
• Markets
• Economics of recycling

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course

Summer Course

Practice and Policy of Waste Prevention

The most effective place to approach reducing waste is before it enters the system. This course will show you how to implement policies which will reduce the amount of material entering the waste stream.

Topics will include:

• Product Stewardship
• Marketing/manufacturing
• Sustainability
• Public outreach

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course