Fleming College

This course provides an overview of new and emerging waste management technologies, including regulations, environmental considerations and potential markets. Emerging concepts such as circular economy, product stewardship, urban mining, greenhouse gas reduction and crade2cradle will also be discussed. Students will learn about new and emerging waste issues, their environmental and social implications and potential solutions. This course will also examine regional waste generation, global waste challenges, connection to greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability, development drivers in waste management and waste management in emerging markets.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of current waste management practices provincially and nationally. Topics include waste collection and the design and operation of: materials recovery facilities (MRFs), recycling and hazardous waste centers, and landfills. Instruction also discusses planning and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of proposed projects involving an integrated waste management approach. Landfill site selection, development of waste management system applications, site closure, and post-operational uses will also be discussed. This course will include field trips to local solid waste management and/or recycling facilities. Course materials also cover health and safety aspects of facility operations.

This course examines the principles, methodologies and strategies employed as part environmental sampling programs commonly associated with the waste management industry. Students will learn the various types of environmental sampling procedures and monitoring equipment used to collect representative environmental data to assess environmental quality and interpret results. The course will also emphasize the importance of environmental sampling program quality control including, data documentation, field instrumentation calibration procedures and sample handling techniques.

This course introduces students to project management including the project development, project phases, and the various tools(including current software) used throughout the planning, development and implementation of a project. The use of project management tools and the roles of proper documentation and communication in project success is also detailed in this course. Students will develop a solid project plan with a community partner that will be carried out during field placement.

In this course students will develop skills and practical knowledge to locate and apply various environmental laws and applicable regulations including: Environmental Protection Act, the Waste Free Ontario Act, The Planning Act, and other related and new legislation as it becomes law. Students will understand the role of municipalities, the provinces and federal governments as they relate to waste management legislation in Canada. Students will develop a practical understanding of environmental laws and the ability to apply the legislation while developing waste management plans and practices. The governing legislation, regulatory practices, compliance, enforcement, and auditing are major topics in this course. International waste management legislation will also be explored.

The principles and fundamentals of completing a variety of environmental audits will be examined in this course. You will be exposed to the steps involved in completing current environmental audits for industry, institutions and commercial enterprises. Students will be provided with the opportunity to complete audits in a real world application in keeping with industry standards(for example ISO 14000), conduct an on-site waste reduction/recycling assessment for businesses applying principles of sustainability, climate change, and recycling/municipal solid waste (MSW) management practices.

This course provides an overview of the best management practices in the recycling and solid waste management industry, and presents and analyzes the design, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation techniques of benchmark waste reduction and recycling programs utilized by industry, governments (local, provincial, national, and international), and others. Topics also include the siting of waste processing facilities, emerging issues, such as environmental justice, communications, and public relations for the environmental professional; stakeholder planning processes; radioactive waste management; hazardous waste management; and greenhouse gas emissions. Guest speakers associated with exemplary programs/projects present various case studies that students analyze to learn best management practices. In this course, students will utilize project management and waste management best practices to design a local waste management program that addresses a current waste issue. By developing a program from the ground-up and interacting with real waste stakeholders, students will develop the communication, organization, and management skills necessary to succeed in the waste management industry. Students will also learn integral communication, presentation, interview, and leadership skills to prepare them for their co-op placements.

The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop their project management skills and apply their skills and knowledge of the waste sector to applied projects. Students will practice various research components such as literature review, research design and methodology, data collection and analysis, use of statistics generated and understanding of research outcomes. Students will acquire practical experience in working with project partners and learn how to present key findings in a concise and professional manner.

Social marketing uses social psychology and marketing concepts to promote behavioural change (e.g. anti-smoking campaigns, promotion of household energy conservation, and so on). This course will focus on developing an understanding of social marketing and behavioural change models. These concepts will be applied in the context of waste management issues, using case studies to demonstrate successful (and not so successful) social marketing programs. Students will learn the elements of successful public outreach and communication in a variety of scenarios, including marketing, open houses and public consultation. Media Relations principles will also be addressed, including oral and written communications for print, radio and television.

This is a 5 week student placement undertaken with an organization and approved by the course instructor. It is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to apply sustainable waste management skills and knowledge and to allow for the development of basic project management skills. Working closely with industry professionals, the student will engage in the day-to-day operations of a waste management facility, and/or work on projects assigned by the placement supervisor. Throughout the placement, students will share their projects and experiences with their peers and faculty.

Pre-Requisites

• Waste Management Legislation (ENVR 126)
• Introduction to Waste Management Systems (ENVR 124)

This course is designed to equip students with the skills needed for their work search, specifically in preparation for their internship requirement but also to develop and enhance career planning skills. Class structure is anticipated as facilitated lab sessions where students will work through the following: Resume development; self -assessment ie) transportation, work permit, skills; covering letter and/or cover email with program description (much of which has already been done by the school); mock interviews, including question prep; group sharing exercises; improvement opportunities; market assessment of local opportunities, research re organizations and contacts; outreach support. A brief lecture to launch the program will be presented. Students will develop and use their career portfolio as a tool to identify and incorporate career goals into the job search process.

Much industrial waste is classified as hazardous materials. Students will be introduced to toxicology, monitoring, chemistry, site characterization, safety plans, sampling, spill, control and emergency response. Emphasis is placed on Hazardous Material systems in Ontario. Transportation of Dangerous Goods and OSHA regulations and other applicable legislation will be discussed. This course is designed to enable students to recognize and understand environmental regulations and management strategies involved with handling and movement of hazardous wastes. Proper procedures for the safe storage of hazardous materials will also be reviewed. Processes involved in the proper identification, classification and manifesting of hazardous materials will also be covered in depth. Finally, aspects surrounding the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other Health and Safety considerations will conclude the content of the course.

Economics is the study of how individuals, governments, businesses and other organizations make choices that effect the allocation and distribution of scarce resources. This course examines how individuals trade with one another, to how prices are affected by the supply and demand of goods. Also studied are the efficiency and costs associated with producing goods and services, how labour is divided and allocated, as well as uncertainty, risk, and strategic game theory. Students will also study the overall aggregate economy. This can include a distinct geographical region, a country or even the whole world. Topics studied include government fiscal and monetary policy, unemployment rates, growth as reflected by changes in the gross domestic product, and business cycles that result in expansion, booms, recessions and depressions. Early segments of the class lead to examination of circular economy concepts, the relationship of waste and waste recovery in the circular economy, and discussion concerning governments and private companies that have adopted circular economy models such as the digital economy. All subject matter is framed in the context of sustainable waste and what it all means to waste managers.

Organic waste is one of the leading topics currently highlighted in waste management. This course provides an overview of current issues, new and emerging technologies and processes, their pros and cons as well as factors influencing the decision making process. Topics covered include characteristics of organic waste, source separation and legislative and regulatory barriers and related solutions. Students will learn how to identify and evaluate organic best practices and learn about the mechanics behind business models and economics. This course discusses a circular strategy for organics and the paradox between edible food waste and hunger. Compostable and bio packaging products and related issues will also be discussed. Students in this course will gain comprehensive insight of technologies and environmental, technical, economic and legislative challenges in the organic recycling sector.