Solid Waste Management

The aim of this course is to provide course participants with up-to-date knowledge regarding technological, organisational and legislative developments and practices of handling solid wastes worldwide.

Upon completion of the course, the participants will be able to:

• make informed decisions in their professional activities;
• define and implement integrated solutions to the challenges posed by solid wastes in urban environment;
• establish a solid waste management system that is capable of functioning not only in situations where sufficient resources are available but also under the more challenging conditions usually prevailing in (large) cities in low-income countries.

Professionals dealing with management, engineering, decision-making and education in the fields of solid waste handling, urban infrastructure and urban environment management. Participants from government organisations (local administrations, national agencies), non-governmental organisations and the private sector are encouraged to join.

The topics covered in the course include:

• Technological aspects: Municipal Solid Waste collection, transfer, recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, energy recovery, incineration, hazardous waste management and waste disposal on land.
• Non-technological aspects: Policy development, legislation, institutional arrangements, financing, stakeholder involvement, and privatization of solid waste management services and operations.

The development of a Solid Waste Management Master Plan is also incorporated in the curriculum. Participants will learn about solid waste practices world-wide via lectures, case studies, assignments and field visits.

It is possible to take part in the examination of this short course. If you obtain a passing mark for this examination and return to UNESCO-IHE within four years after completion of the short course to follow a full MSc programme, you will receive exemption for this short course/module. The costs for this exam are €250 extra and should be borne by yourself. Taking part in the examination is not compulsory.