The aim of the online course in Solid Waste Management (SWM) is to enlighten the state of the art in technology, organizational and legislative developments and practices of handling solid wastes world-wide. The financial burdens and benefits as well as solutions are discussed in detail.

The material presented will help participants to make informed decisions in their professional activities; it will assist them in defining and implementing integrated solutions to the challenges posed by solid wastes in urban environment. The course will support participants to establish a solid waste management (SWM) 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.

Learning objectives

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

  • Quantify and characterize MSW in a country and to understand properties commonly associated with MSW.
  • Describe the tasks and logistics of MSW collection, to analyze collection systems, and to become familiar with the principals and theory behind the use of transfer stations
  • Describe the components of a landfill and processes which take place in a landfill
  • Do the basic design calculations associated with landfills
  • Describe the most common waste processing techniques and their application areas
  • Identify concepts of reduction, reuse and recycle
  • Develop a strategy to deal with special wastes, a.o. hazardous and health care waste
Target group

The course is designed for mid-career professionals who work in low-income countries or countries in transition, and deal with planning, promoting, designing, operating or managing solid waste systems for people in urban, peri-urban, slum or rural areas.

Participants are typically employed by government departments, private companies, NGOs, universities, research institutions, aid agencies or international bodies such as WHO or UNICEF.

Course structure

Participants complete the course in part-time, distance learning mode over a period of 16 weeks with a total workload of 128 hours (equivalent to 3 weeks full-time). They spend about 8 hours per week on this course by reading, listening to voice recordings, watching video clips, participating in asynchronous discussions, obtaining advice and guidance from the teacher and working on assignments. After successful completion, participants will receive a certificate issued by UNESCO-IHE.

Course content

During the online course, the following topics will be discussed:

1. Introduction to Solid Waste Management

2. Solid Waste Characterization: Quantity and Quality
Generation of waste per capita and region; composition of waste; small scale industry waste in domestic waste; organic agricultural waste (some specific cases as examples); industrial waste

3. Waste Collection & Transport
Mixed collection or Separation at Source; Logistics; Transfer stations; Machine park planning; Sub-contractors

4. Treatment Technologies
Treatment based on type of waste; Anaerobic Digestion; Composting; Recycling of plastics, batteries, e-waste; Incineration

5. Financial, Social and Institutional aspects
Costs of collection, separation, management; Equipment costs; Policy; Legislative aspects; Local Regulations; Law Enforcement; Global Organizations involved in SWM; Gender Issues; Health and SWM

6. Landfilling
Present and Desired Composition; Planning (Site selection and EIA); Design; Biology; Leachate production and collection; Covering; Redesigning an existing dump site; Operational and maintenance aspects; Capacity Building of operators; methane production; Safety issues & public health; Post-closure phase

7. Cleaner Productions: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

8. Hazardous, Health care and other Special Waste

Examination

It is possible to receive ECTS Credit Points by taking an exam at the end of the course (cost of exam included in tuition fee).

Course Brochure

Course details


  • €600

  • M.A. Siebel, PhD, MSc, PE

  • 01 Sep 2012 to 05 Jan 2013

  • 18 weeks

  • 5

  • 31 July 2012

  • 29 January 2012

  • 06 February 2012

More info