Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Integrated Solid Waste Management

• Waste characteristics: generation rates, composition, and seasonal variations.

• The waste management hierarchy: reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, disposal.

• Legal and regulatory framework for solid waste management.

• Exercise: Conducting a waste characterization study for a urban area.

Module 2: Waste Collection and Transportation Systems

• Collection system design: door-to-door, community bins, and bring systems.

• Vehicle routing and scheduling optimization.

• Transfer station design and operation.

• Workshop: Designing an efficient collection route for a neighborhood.

Module 3: Waste Processing and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

• Design and operation of materials recovery facilities (MRFs).

• Mechanical sorting technologies: screens, magnets, eddy current separators.

• Composting of organic waste: windrow, aerated static pile, and in-vessel systems.

• Case Study: Tour of a modern MRF (virtual or actual).

Module 4: Thermal Treatment and Waste-to-Energy

• Mass-burn incineration: process, energy recovery, and air pollution control.

• Advanced thermal technologies: pyrolysis, gasification, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF).

• Ash management and residue treatment.

• Exercise: Comparing the cost and environmental footprint of incineration vs. landfill.

Module 5: Landfilling and Landfill Gas Management

• Sanitary landfill design: liners, leachate collection, and final cover systems.

• Leachate treatment: biological, chemical, and membrane processes.

• Landfill gas extraction, flaring, and energy recovery.

• Workshop: Designing a basic landfill gas collection system.

Module 6: Special Waste Streams Management

• Management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste.

• Handling of healthcare waste and other special wastes.

• Case Study: Developing a C&D waste management plan for a large project.

Module 7: Financial Aspects of Waste Management

• Costing of waste management services: collection, treatment, and disposal.

• Funding models: user fees, taxes, public-private partnerships (PPPs).

• Economic instruments: pay-as-you-throw (PAYT), extended producer responsibility (EPR).

• Exercise: Developing a cost-recovery model for municipal waste services.

Module 8: Social and Stakeholder Aspects of Waste Management

• Public awareness and education campaigns for waste reduction and recycling.

• Engaging informal waste sector and community-based organizations.

• Addressing social equity in waste management service delivery.

Module 9: ISWM Planning and Policy Development

• Steps in developing an ISWM plan: assessment, goal setting, option evaluation, implementation.

• Setting targets for waste diversion and recycling.

• Monitoring and evaluation of ISWM plan performance.

Module 10: Capstone Project: ISWM Plan Development

• Final Project: Preparing a comprehensive ISWM plan for a city, including current state analysis, future projections, technology selection, financial plan, and implementation strategy.