The Zero Waste Associates (ZWA) Course teaches participants how to use the Zero Waste USA toolkits for Zero Waste planning for businesses, institutions, or communities.

Zero Waste Associates Course

REGISTER HERE

Instructors: Ruth Abbe, Chrise de Tournay Birkhahn, and Amanda Rice Waddle

Guest Speakers from Zero Waste USA and other organizations.

Dates: February 29, 2024 – April 25, 2024; ZOOM (link will be provided after registration)

Class Dates – 5 Thursday Classes:

• 3/13/2025, 10 am – 1:30 pm PT / 1 pm – 4:30 pm ET
• 3/20/2025, 10 am – 1:30 pm PT / 1 pm – 4:30 pm ET
• 3/27/2025, 10 am – 1:30 pm PT / 1 pm – 4:30 pm ET
• 4/3/2025, 10 am – 1:30 pm PT / 1 pm – 4:30 pm ET
• 5/1/2025, 10 am – 2 pm PT / 1 pm – 5 pm ET

Course Description:

The Zero Waste Associates (ZWA) Course teaches participants how to use the Zero Waste USA toolkits for Zero Waste planning for businesses, institutions, or communities. This course includes 12 hours of instructive time during the first four classes plus time for discussion and questions at the end of each class. This course teaches participants the basic information about Zero Waste, the benefits of creating Zero Waste systems, and the eight steps to becoming Zero Waste. It also teaches students how to use the Zero Waste USA toolkits for business, institution, and community planning. This class prepares the participants to use the Zero Waste USA Toolkits for their planning projects and as professionals or advocates working to create Zero Waste systems.

After the final class on April 3rd, the participants will work on a planning project for four weeks. During the May 1st class, participants present their planning project (PowerPoint presentation) to fellow students, instructors, and guests.

Participants will take an open-book examination after the Project Presentation Class on May 1st. They will have two weeks to complete this.

Prerequisite: Students registered for the Zero Waste Associates course that have not taken Zero Waste USA’s Introduction to Zero Waste class must watch a recorded version and complete a quiz.

Class Requirements: Students must attend all classes, complete assignments, participate in a planning project, present their planning project, and use and submit the Zero Waste USA toolkit. Students must also pass the examination with an 80% or higher and complete the evaluation. Assignments include 2-5 hours a week of watching videos, reading, and completing the Zero Waste USA toolkit.

Class Goal and Outcome: This course is designed for Zero Waste professionals who want to advance their knowledge and expertise in Zero Waste planning. Participants will gain knowledge and experience using the Zero Waste USA planning toolkit and be prepared to work with their municipality, business, or institution on Zero Waste.

Participants who complete this course will be certified as a Zero Waste Associate by Zero Waste USA. 

Questions: Email amanda@zerowasteusa.org

Register today: 

$350 – General Registration

$300 – Zero Waste USA Affiliates

Group discounts and two-for-one registrations are available.

By registering for this course, you agree to receive communications from Zero Waste USA.

Click here to register!

Is your organization interested in becoming a Zero Waste USA Affiliate?

Click here to get more information (affiliate webpage)

Click here to apply to be a Zero Waste USA Affiliate.

Email Amanda with questions.