Recycling Certification Program FAQs
Why does launching this program make sense for your organization?
- Building this program is an investment in the professionalization of the recycling sector.
- Having trained professionals builds credibility, increases safety, develops avenues for advocacy and expands participant’s professional horizons
- Most trade organizations provide professional certification. NRC has developed the structure for a program that each state can build upon.
- Writing a grant or choosing to make this a sponsor-funded priority will benefit all parties involved. If you solicit for conference sponsors, make a portion of the sponsor donation for this program’s development.
- Once invested and built, the program then becomes an ongoing source of recurring revenue and a platform to add other trainings, as there is a re-certification component requirement.
- Classes serve as a mechanism for member growth and retention by offering pricing discounts to members.
- Other accredited state programs have offered to share expertise, mentoring, program development assistance and their class agendas to support growth of new programs.
What is the title of this program?
- The National Standards Certification Board of the NRC accredits certification programs for Certified Sustainable Resource Management Professionals, but we have found it makes sense to call the training what you like so that it is relevant and makes sense for your attendees. The training program can easily be called Recycling Professionals Certification or Training program, which leads to this National Certification.
- We want to make sure this program is relevant to your constituents, but also introduces them to a wide range of subjects ultimately leading to sustainability.
What is the value to your members in the recycling sector?
- This certification leads to not only valuable training, but also a certification through an accrediting post-secondary institution that you can put on your resume!
- Student Learning Outcomes range from state regulatory requirements to policy initiatives to the concept of green product design. Some state training programs craft their programs so that a facility operator gains all the training they need for safe and smart operations, with other trainings targeting full-cost accounting, policy work, etc.
Do you need to be a NRC member to become accredited? No, but we encourage applicants to consider joining if they are not already members or affiliated.
How much will it cost to develop this program?
- Program development costs widely varies upon ability to access existing developed resources, board member assistance in crafting training modules, volunteer trainers, etc.
- Once the program is developed, the cost to apply for national accreditation is $1,000.
How do you ensure students come to these classes?
Reference the National Standards program flyer section entitled: “Creating Demand for Trainings”
Can classes be offered online?
- Illinois has designed their classes to primarily be hosted online, with only one in-person meeting for each training module. They offer two 15-week training courses through a community college.
- The GreenEducation.us hosts classes online as well. This training was designed around the National Certification Student Learning Outcomes and plans to pursue accreditation.
- Pennsylvania offers several courses online as well.
Which states are already accredited?
As of March 18, 2015, New Mexico, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are accredited with a pending application from Illinois. California has plans to become accredited. The National Standards Board is currently reaching out to state and regional organizations across the nation, many of whom are interested in launching programs.
