The Recycling Organizations of North America (RONA) and the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) are collaborating on a federally-funded project to develop new resource management curriculum and certification processes. Currently there is no national professional certification standard to support state or provincial training programs for sustainable resource management industry. As more cities, institutions, and businesses develop sustainability and Zero Waste policies, they need trained personnel to properly manage their resources and programs. Resource management enables business to become more efficient, increase their bottom line, improve community relations and decreased their financial and environmental risks.
We encourage representatives of state and provincial Recycling Organizations, colleges and universities, recycling industry, local governments, nonprofit organizations and others interested in developing training in this field to participate in the project.
Please help us update our survey on state and provincial certification programs. Simply go to our survey link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/recyclingcertification and answer the questions about your program. The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete and will be of great help to us as we finalize our national standards.
Key Components of Certification Programs
To assist in the establishment of certification programs, RONA has developed an outline of recommendations that can assist a state/region in developing an industry certification program in Sustainable Resource Management. Created August, 2012.
As recycling and resource management professionals we welcome your thoughts and opinions on the proposed key components of a model certification program. We would also like to find out if one or more states in our region would like to develop a training program that meets these program goals. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , NERC Projects Manager to share your thoughts or if you need more information about this important endeavor.
Access the Google document: "Key Components of Certification Programs"
For a PDF version, contact:
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Strategic Plan for National Standards Certification Board
This Board will use the findings of the previous nationwide meetings, work group input and research to establish a model state/regional/topical certification program. The Board will assist, support, and facilitate establishment of states' certification programs. Adopted July, 2012
Access the Google document: "Strategic Plan"
For a PDF version, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Plan Adopted for Certifying Sustainable Resource Management Training Programs and Professionals
In August 2011, The Board of the Recycling Organizations of North America (RONA) adopted "The Plan for National Standards for Certifying Sustainable Resource Management Training Programs and Professionals (the Plan). The process was initiated by RONA and the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA), who collaborated on a federally-funded project to develop new resource management curriculum and a certification process. To access the Plan, click here:
A great deal of work was put into developing the Plan. Extensive research was conducted into existing training programs, such as SWANA, Reuse Alliance, and United States Composting Council, as well as state-based programs, including the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP). The first steps of the Certification Board will be to follow-up on research conducted into existing certification efforts, and build upon the jobs and skills analysis and student learning outcomes outlined in the Plan to devise a national standard that can be accredited by post-secondary institutions and meets ISO approval requirements. Board members will be developing criteria for state/provincial recycling training programs and a proficiency exam for certifying professionals.
Access the Plan for National Standards for Sustainable Resource Management Certification Programs and Professionals
For a PDF version, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
National Standards Certification Board Convened
A National Standards Certification Board was created in January, 2012 by the Recycling Organizations of North America (RONA) to oversee governance. Through a survey process, as well as media and industry outreach, RONA solicited potential candidates to serve on the Certification Board; a total of thrity-three candidates applied for appointment. Candidates were ultimately appointed to serve on the Certification Board based on the following criteria:
- Industry experience and technical knowledge of the industry and/or certification programs;
- involvement with Recycling Organization Certification programs and the RONA National Standards process to date;
- geographic distribution;
- under-represented interests; and
- involvement with higher education.
Board members were selected for their involvement and support of state and provincial resource management organizations throughout North America, as well as those representatives who could help with strategic alliances to other groups and who had strong experience in policy-making and program development roles.
Nine candidates were approved by the RONA Board to serve on the Certification Board.
CERTIFICATION BOARD
- Athena Lee Bradley, Northeast Recycling Council (NERC)
- Bert Jacobson, Kankakee Community College, Illinois (and involved with all 47 community colleges and the Illinois Recycling Association new certification program)
- Cary Oshins, U.S. Composting Council
- Gary Liss, RONA Board
- Joanne Shafer, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, Pennsylvania and Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP)
- John Frederick, RONA Board
- Judi Gregory, CA Resource Recovery Association
- Marie Kruzan, Association of New Jersey Recyclers
- MaryEllen Etienne, Reuse Alliance
John Frederick, Chair / Board member, Recycling Organizations of North America This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Judi Gregory, Secretary / Project Manager, California Resource Recovery Association This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jack DeBell, Project Manager / Development Director, University of Colorado Recycling Services This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In addition to the Certification Board, an Advisory Committee has been convened to review content, provide local research and outreach.
- Sue Beets, SBM Management
- Joseph Floyd, University of Florida
- Lisa Friend, Boulder County Zero Waste Planner
- Celeste Johnson, Connecticut Recyclers Coalition
- Russell Klein, D.C. Department of Public Works - Office of Recycling
- Rachel Leven, Duke University
- Courtney Lindberg, City of Ventura Recycling Manager
- Bruce Olszewski, San Jose State University, Environmental Studies Dept.
- Joel Ostroff, Macon County Solid Waste Management (NC)
- Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technology
- Dawn Quirk, Tufts University
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
may require google access- for pdf, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
National Plan for Certification Standards Student Learning Outcomes Draft
California Resource Recovery Association Certification Program
New Jersey Recycling Certification Series: Association of New Jersey Recyclers
Developing Qualified Green Professionals: Pennsylvania Recycling Professional Certification, Santa Monica Presentation - January ,2011
This project is funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community Based Job Training (CBJT) Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Grant number CB-20565-10-60
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It is the policy of this organization to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age, or disability.