Course introduction

This free e-learning course is designed to shed light on the Solid Waste Management (SWM) sector, with a focus on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), from several angles in order to simplify concepts and ease understanding of this sector. Solid waste is one of the most pressing matters of our time. Throughout the world, people are generating greater amounts of garbage without much thought. The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” proves true for many of us when it comes to waste issues. Once garbage is out of our homes and offices and factories, do we really consider what happens to it, who’s collecting it, or what impact it is having on our environment and our health? This course answers these questions.

Quick details:

Topics: Solid Waste

Institution: WBG, edX

Subject: Environmental studies

Language: English

Learning mode: MOOC (Massive Open Online Center)

Level: Introductory

Duration: 6 Weeks (2-3 hours/week)

Start time: Flexible deadline

Course background

Solid waste management (SWM) is a key function of local governments worldwide and directly affects public health, the environment, and livelihoods. Though, rapid urbanization and population growth put multiple pressures on solid waste management systems, particularly in cities in low- and middle-income countries. In

Yet, the sector also creates numerous opportunities: Improving solid waste management produces a cleaner and healthier environment; improves livability for all city residents; and attracts new investment and tourism, which improve a city’s economic competitiveness, generating jobs, and new business opportunities. SWM also contributes to new sources of energy thus tackling climate change challenges. In these ways, this topic is directly relevant to the World Bank’s goals of ending extreme poverty and improving shared prosperity. Therefore, taking this course a really useful thing for those concerned.

Learning objectives

What you’ll learn:

• Get a firm understanding of core concepts of SWM, with a focus on municipal solid waste (MSW), and the role of the sector on economic development and environmental protection
• Asses various technology options based on the financial, technical, and operational capacities of each technology and treatment/disposal options
• Differentiate between infrastructure (CAPEX) and operations and maintenance (OPEX) costs, as relating to various technologies, and gain understanding into cost recovery techniques; learn about different funding mechanisms to establish SMW projects
• Test various policy options at national and local levels to conclude what would be most suitable given individual country and city scenarios and learn how institutions and coordination can enhance service delivery and financial performance of the sector
• Get awareness of technological innovations in the sector, the key role of informal workers and women (particularly in low- and middle-income countries), and the varying perceptions of the waste sector towards resource management
• Get to know and implement solutions for improvement in the sector, while learning from practical examples and case studies

Notice: you can find the detailed course syllabus here.

Course benefits

You will receive a certificate which is:

• Official, verified and instructor-signed highlighting your skills and increasing your job prospect (for $5)
• Easily shareable_ you can share it elsewhere
• Proven motivator_ give yourself an extra incentive to complete this and other online courses

How to apply?

Interested applicants wishing to boost their knowledge about SWM and get a strong insight into this can apply for this course very easily and get the course started just by completing an ‘enrolment’.