Top 10 waste management courses online (free & paid)
We’ve compiled a list of waste management courses designed to assist workers in the responsible handling and disposal of waste. Topics include duty of care, hazardous waste management, sustainability policies, and more.
Waste management course #1
Waste Management Safety
Managing waste is incredibly important, especially in industries where it’s necessary to secure the safety of the workers and the sustainability of their practices. SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s Waste Management Safety course goes beyond just theory and dives into practical strategies for waste reduction through recycling and reusing.
This waste management course starts off by highlighting the significance of budgeting and estimating materials to prevent unnecessary waste and expenses. Your workers will also learn how to protect materials from water damage, identify hazards, properly handle spills, dispose of waste, and practice workplace hygiene.
Cost: Free
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Estimating need and purchasing materials, recycle and reuse, storm-safe protection, waste disposal, spills management
Waste management course #2
Solid Waste Management
This waste management course dives deep into municipal solid waste (MSW) and its significance in driving economic development and protecting the environment. Throughout the course, your learners will learn about national and local policy options, along with strategies for cost recovery and funding for waste management projects. They’ll also get to explore various treatment and disposal methods, gaining a well-rounded perspective on waste management.
Cost: Free (Audit)
Created by: edX
Scope: Overview of solid waste management, financial aspects, policies, institutions, and the informal sector, circular economy and innovations
Waste management course #3
Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries
Coursera’s online course sets the foundation with an overview of the current waste management situation in developing countries. Learners will dive into the governance aspects of solid waste management, where they’ll learn about their roles and responsibilities, as well as important legislative and financial considerations. They’ll also explore organic waste treatment, special waste fractions, and the challenges and opportunities for improved solid waste management.
Cost: Free (Audit)
Created by: Coursera
Scope: Physical elements of solid waste management, governance aspects, organic waste treatment, special waste fractions, strategic issues and planning
Waste management course #4
Introduction to Waste Duty of Care
In this waste management course, learners will gain a solid understanding of requirements for waste carriers, operators of waste sites, and householders. They’ll be more familiar with navigating waste hierarchy, recording waste movement, completing transfer notes, and using public registers for reference. This course is suitable for all members of staff, but especially those working in the waste industry across the UK.
Cost: 70.28 USD
Created by: CIWM
Scope: Core duty of care requirements, requirements for managing hazardous waste, checking public registers, waste hierarchy, recording waste movement
Waste management course #5
Hazardous Materials (Silica, Polymerics and Waste)
Safety is crucial, especially when dealing with hazardous waste. In SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s hazardous waste management training course, your learners will learn the risks and effects associated with hazardous materials.
The course extensively covers hazardous waste identification, transportation, recycling, and disposal processes. It also sheds light on harmful polymerics and crystalline silica, which can cause severe health issues. Your learners will know the proper handling techniques for polishing and cleaning chemicals, as well as the storage and compliant disposal of hazardous waste.
By delivering this free SC Training (formerly EdApp) course, you can protect your workers’ health and safety and your business from mishaps, product damage, and improper handling.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Types of hazardous materials, safe handling and managing of hazmat, polishing and cleaning of chemicals, hazardous waste, responsible hazmat waste disposal
Waste management course #6
How to Tackle Food Waste
FutureLearn offers this waste management course about the causes and consequences of food waste, which should inspire learners to take action and advocate waste policy changes. Through the course, they’ll go over innovative solutions to food waste problems, waste reduction practices of different retailers, and the necessary changes in shopping, cooking, and food storage habits. All these are essential to effectively and sustainably reduce food waste.
Cost: Free
Created by: FutureLearn
Scope: Causes and effects of food loss and food waste, reducing food waste, waste hierarchy, circular economy, producing actionable changes, policies for sustainability
Waste management course #7
Waste Management Training
Like most waste management courses online, Human Focus’ training program explores the legal obligations and essential systems for handling waste responsibly. It covers key topics like waste classification, waste transfer documentation, and effective waste reduction methods. It also gives in-depth guidance on managing hazardous waste transfer, where learners will gain practical knowledge on implementing waste management procedures. That includes inspection, auditing, and documentation.
Cost: 42.71 USD
Created by: Human Focus
Scope: Waste hierarchy, duty of care, hazardous waste transfer and consignment, how to inspect, audit and document waste management procedures
Waste management course #8
Environmental Waste Management
With this environmental waste management course, learners will become familiar with the ecological and economic value of conservation, the impact of industrial waste, street cleaning methods, and proper disposal of refuse. The course also has lessons dedicated to the effects of industry on the environment, nuclear fuel and waste management, the importance of water treatment, and the significance of recycling in reducing waste.
Cost: 320.32 USD
Created by: learndirect
Scope: Conservation and waste, sewerage, methods of street cleaning, types of pollution, nuclear fission, industrial effluent, waste materials
Waste management course #9
Waste Management and Critical Raw Materials
This waste management training program by edX tackles various topics, such as the current openings and setbacks in resource resilience. Course-takers will go over the environmental issues caused by mismanaging products with critical raw materials and learn effective waste collection methods for households and companies. By the end of the lessons, they’ll have gained the tools they need to reduce waste and enhance the resource resilience of their organization.
Cost: Free (Audit)
Created by: edX
Scope: Resource resilience, waste mismanagement, waste collection and prevention, product design, recycling and remanufacturing
Waste management course #10
Infection Control
You can’t overlook the critical role of infection control in waste management. SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s Infection Control Course equips waste management staff with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves and others from infectious diseases while carrying out their work.
This microlearning course is designed to give your staff a comprehensive understanding of infections and contagious diseases, including their origins, manifestations, and modes of transmission. Here, they’ll learn effective cleaning and sanitization techniques to reduce the risk of infection transmission.
Along with all SC Training (formerly EdApp) courses, this self-paced course is available on mobile devices, so your staff can learn at their convenience. They can even get a waste management certificate online once they’ve completed the course.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Infectious diseases, importance of infection control, safety guidelines, controlling and preventing infections, best practices to cleaning and sanitizing
Never take any chances when it comes to the safety of your workers or your business. It’s vital that you conduct a waste management training program so everyone has the knowledge to make informed decisions when creating a healthy and sustainable work environment.
Through training, your workers can learn about the correct handling, disposal, and reduction of waste. They can also minimize environmental impact and gain a better sense of responsibility and civic engagement.
What are the 3 types of waste management?
These are the three types of waste management essential to making a positive impact on the environment:
- Source reduction: The first type of waste management is reducing the amount of waste and finding ways to consume less. Using less packaging, choosing reusable products, and being conscious of consumption habits contribute to cutting down on waste production.
- Recycling: This involves collecting materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal, and turning them into new products instead of throwing them away. It helps save resources, reduce pollution, and keep waste out of landfills.
- Waste disposal: Sometimes, waste can’t be reduced or recycled. In these cases, it needs to be disposed of properly. This means putting waste in designated places, like landfills or incinerators, where it can be handled safely. Proper disposal helps prevent harm to the environment and potential health risks.
How to learn waste management?
There are plenty of ways your workers can learn about waste management. Here’s how they can start and how you can support them on their learning journey:
- Online courses: Look for reputable online platforms or organizations that offer waste management courses and use them for your waste management training. You can share courses that cover various aspects of waste management, like recycling, waste reduction, and proper disposal methods. They provide structured learning experiences with informative videos, readings, and quizzes.
- Local workshops and seminars: Encourage your workers to attend workshops or webinars featuring waste management experts. They’ll be able to learn about waste management practices specific to their area, connect with like-minded individuals, and participate in hands-on activities.
- Books and publications: Recommend materials written by experts so they can gain in-depth information about waste management principles.
- Environmental organizations: Partner with environmental organizations that focus on waste management to strengthen your training initiatives. Allow your workers to volunteer for waste reduction campaigns, recycling programs, or community clean-up projects so they can have hands-on experience while working alongside experienced individuals.
- Online communities: Facilitate online communities and forums dedicated to waste management and environmental sustainability. These platforms will allow your workers to connect with individuals who share a passion for waste management. They can learn by engaging in discussions, asking questions, and exchanging ideas.
Create a healthy working environment with waste management courses
The lack of proper waste management training can result in inefficient waste disposal, missed opportunities for recycling and reuse, and a failure to implement sustainable practices. To prevent these, equip your workers with the necessary expertise through waste management training.
Remember that training waste management professionals is an important initiative, not only within the waste industry but also across fields like environmental science, public health, and urban planning. It’s a great example of corporate sustainability that every organization needs.
Today, you can easily help your workers develop a strong sense of waste management awareness through self training tools like SC Training (formerly EdApp).