Zero Waste Associates Course

Course Overview: The Zero Waste Associates (ZWA) Course teaches participants how to use the Zero Waste USA toolkits for Zero Waste business, institution, and community planning. 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, the participants will work on a planning project for four weeks. During the presentation 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. They will have two weeks to complete this.

Class Description:

• Class 1. Three-hour class includes instruction on Zero Waste Principles, eight steps to becoming Zero Waste, and Zero Waste Community planning.  
• Class 2. Three-hour class includes instruction on Zero Waste Business and Institution planning, Zero Waste engagement, and Zero Waste recognition and certification programs. 
• Class 3. Three-hour class about the Zero Waste Community planning toolkit, material characterization studies, and Zero Waste business and institution toolkit. This class outlines the planning toolkits participants will use in their projects, describes how Zero Waste is measured, and includes guest speakers.
• Class 4. Three-hour class about the U.S. EPA Managing and Transforming Waste Stream tool, and includes time for groups to interact. This class brings all the classes together with a wrap-up of everything taught. The last section of the class will be for the groups to begin working on their group Zero Waste planning project. 
• Zero Waste Planning Presentation. Four-hour class (time depends on the number of participants) where participants present their class projects to fellow participants, instructors, and guests.

Prerequisite: Participants 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: Participants must attend all classes, complete assignments, participate in and present a group project, and use and submit the Zero Waste USA toolkit. Participants 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 tools. 

Group Planning Project: Participants will work together for four weeks in groups of 2, 3, or 4 and use the Zero Waste USA planning toolkit to create a Zero Waste plan for a business, institution, or community. Instructors are available to groups to help with the project. The goal is to use the toolkit and information presented in the course to produce an overview of a Zero Waste plan for a business, institution, or community. The final project is a PowerPoint presentation. Participants must work as a team on this project, and every student must present a section of the project. Group planning projects are presented to fellow participants, instructors, and guests during the Zero Waste Planning Presentation class.

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 Zero Waste USA planning tools and be prepared to work with their municipality, business, or institution on Zero Waste. In addition, participants who complete this course will be certified as a Zero Waste Associate by Zero Waste USA.  

Cost: $350. Zero Waste USA Affiliates – $300. Group discounts are available.

Schedule:

Questions: Email Amanda Waddle

Featured Image Photo Credit: Zen Chung