BLUEPRINT
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE
SOLID WASTE TRAINING PROGRAM
An Open-File Summary Report SW-28c.of
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Solid Waste Management Office
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BLUEPRINT
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE TRAINING PROGRAM
An Open-File Summary Report (SW-28c.of) on a Contract PH 86-66-146
with the American Public Works Association
written by
LARRY E. CRANE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Solid Waste Management Office
1971
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BLUEPRINT FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE TRAINING PROGRAM
An Open-File Summary Report (SW-28c.of) on a Contract PH 86-66-1A6
with the American Public Works Association
PURPOSE
The purpose of the contract was to develop a series of six
package courses on solid waste management. The packages were to
contain all materials necessary for the student and the instructor,
including an instructor's manual and visual aids.
SUMMARY
Course packages were prepared for six subject areas: Technology;
Policy; Management; Collection; Incineration; and Sanitary Landfill.
Each of these courses was field tested through the use of consultative
training instructors, with APWA furnishing the course moderator.
Following is the location in which each course was field tested
and a brief description of the course content.
Technology
Detroit, Michigan
This one-week course was primarily for consulting engineers with
a few political and public works personnel invited. The basis for
the course was a case study (taken from a real-life situation) from
which the groups were to make decisions on the correct steps for
solid waste management. The students were divided into four groups,
each of which had slightly different approaches to the problem
solution resulting from their representation or their goals. Each
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group made a presentation to the class which was followed by class
discussion and critique.
Pol icy
Boston, Massachusetts
This two-day course was designed for key professionals in solid
waste management and planning and community leaders. In this course,
also, a case study was used to elicit discussion. The basis was a
mock public hearing approach which was filmed, with the idea in mind
that the film could be utilized later.
Management
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This course was intended for top and middle level managers of
solid waste agencies. The concept was for a one-week "live-in" type
course, and included presentations on most aspects of solid waste
management, a seminar type workshop, and a field trip.
Collect ion
Chicago, I 11inois
This course was intended for management level employees involved
In collection services. The course was held on a half-day per week
basis for seven weeks. The course covered several aspects of collection
including goals, methods of disposal, and public relations.
Incineration
Washington, D.C.
This course was for supervisory personnel involved in incineration
operation. The course was held on a one-day per week basis for six
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weeks. The curriculum consisted basically of a lecture series, with
consultants speaking on such subjects as composition and quantities
of refuse, maintenance and repairs, etc.
San i tary Landfi11
Kansas City, Missouri
This course was intended for first-line supervisory personnel
at sanitary landfill sites. The course was held on a half-day per
week basis for ten weeks. As with the incineration course, the
subject material covered the entire field from the point of site
selection through inspection-evaluation. The consultant-lecturer
technique was used.
LIMITATIONS
The course "packages" for all six courses are inadequate for
the purpose of conducting training courses without extensive
modifications and additions. The basic shortcomings of the prepared
materials are as follows:
(1) The courses were improperly designed for the intended
aud i ences;
(2) The instructor and trainee manuals were either incomplete
or, in most cases, almost nonexistent;
(3) The manuals consisted mainly of xerox copies and reprints
of related and, sometimes, unrelated materials;
(4) Visuals which were to be included as part of the "packages'
were either nonexistent or a feedback of visuals supplied
to APWA by the PHS; and
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(5) Where inadequacies were pointed out by APWA in the course,
there were no recommended solutions for overcoming these
prob]ems.
In general, the Bureau is unable to make the course packages
available since there is not sufficient relevant information and
material in them to allow the conduct of courses on the various
subjects. Copies of the packages are available for review in the
offices of the Bureau of Solid Waste Management in Cincinnati, Ohio,
and Rockville, Maryland.
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