Solid Waste and Recycling

Training Overview

  • Audience: Massachusetts local and regional board of health members and staff, health department personnel and anyone interested in learning about solid waste and recycling.
  • Format: Online, self-paced
  • Price: Free
  • Length: 1 hour
  • Contact hours: Massachusetts CHO, RS and REHS/RS
  • Competencies: Environmental Science
  • Learning level: Awareness
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Companion trainings:

  • Supplemental materials:

In the 1970s, there were growing concerns across the United States over the increasing volume of municipal and industrial waste. In response to these concerns, Congress adopted the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to govern the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Although the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the enforcing authority for solid waste regulations in Massachusetts, local boards of health (LBOH) should work with state and other agencies, private industry, and community members to promote safe handling and disposal methods of municipal solid waste, and to encourage waste reduction programs, such as recycling and composting.

Enroll To receive a certificate of completion. This requires registration to establish a learner profile and completion of pre- and post-tests
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What you’ll learn

After completing this training, you will be able to:

  • State the consequences of improper management of solid waste
  • Explain how solid waste is regulated nationally and in Massachusetts
  • Describe five key LBOH functions related to solid waste
  • Give examples of local programs that encourage waste reduction and improved management of municipal solid waste

Subject Matter Expert


  • John Fischer
    Deputy Division Director, Solid Waste, Bureau of Air and Waste
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)

Disclaimer

This training is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). MDPH funds were made available by the Cooperative Agreement Number TP921913, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.