CRRA Resource Management Professional Certification

Student Materials

COURSE TITLE: Beyond Recycling: How Businesses Get to Zero Waste **NEW**

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

This "Beyond Recycling: How Businesses Get To Zero Waste" class (aka "Zero Waste Business" class) will build on the introductory information provided in the CRMTI Clean Production class. In particular, this class will review the Zero Waste Business Principles, then go into detail on how to implement those principles for a particular business to achieve Zero Waste. Examples will be given of how different companies have addressed different issues that have come up in pursuing Zero Waste. The Curriculum will include the following:

Set Zero Waste Goals (interim and long-term)

Assess community goals and resources where facilities are located.
Provide inspiration and leadership
Clarify roles of all participating

Zero Waste Planning

Convene management and employee planning team
Establish technical committee
Set time frame to develop plan
Schedule regular and frequent meetings
Obtain needed expertise
Examine Current System
Look Upstream first to see how to design waste out of the system or to require suppliers to decrease amount of products and packaging that will become wastes to your firm
Process study, redesign, and product review
ID discards by production/generation area (Nine generating sources in any business: 1. Warehousing & Distribution; 2. Offices; 3. Food Services; 4. Grounds; 5. Construction; 6. Manufacturing; 7. Vehicular Maintenance; 8. Retail; 9. Housing & Hospitality)
Identify barriers to zero waste & solve them
Design wasting out of processes
Recycle is the last thing to do
Never handling a waste is preferable
Examine purchasing and vendor contracts
Assess costs and benefits
Brainstorm, prepare, review, and finalize plan
Adopt plan and modify as needed

Zero Waste Outreach, Promotions and Total Employee Involvement

Designate representation from all business activities
Team Effort
Think outside the box
Conduct +/++ programming
Provide incentives for new ideas and innovations
Continually conduct education

Zero Waste Systems Implementation

Establish work plan/execute tasks
Obtain needed resources
Audit your wasting continually
Continually re-evaluate work plan

Measurement and Evaluation

Let everybody know how they are doing (Media, Staff meetings, Special Trainings/Retreats, Newsletters, E-mails, and Annual reports)
Successes and benefits and Exemplary performances
New ideas
Measure: New systems that eliminated waste from products or packaging; new procurement specs that eliminated waste or required suppliers to takeback products or packaging once their service completed; increased durability of products; reuse systems implemented; recycling systems implemented; composting systems implemented; response to incentives implemented; leasing and product stewardship for products arranged; and waste auditing completed.

PREREQUISITES:

CRRA Certification Class on "Clean Production."

CLASS TEST

There will be a 30 minute test will cover the materials presented in the course.

CLASS PROJECT

The class project will involve the students by organizing them into teams that will tackle a real world problem and provide a combined classroom presentation. The class project will help students to integrate the lessons learned into a cohesive strategy for the future of their business or community. This real world problem solving will be focused on solving a business related issue.

INSTRUCTOR

CA Resource Management Training Institute (CRMTI)

The California Resource Management Training Institute (CRMTI) is a California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation certified by the IRS since November 2006 as a 501c(3) educational organization. The Institute is directed by a Board of Trustees (Board) currently comprised of 8 members: Senator Emeritus David A. Roberti, President; Richard Anthony, Vice President; J. Michael Huls, Secretary; Robert Zetterberg, Treasurer; Gary Liss, Jaime Lozano, David Little and Eugene Tseng. The Institute has been in existence since March 2004, when it presented an inaugural training program for the CIWMB and the CRRA in Sacramento on March 8, 2004. CRMTI has been a key partner in the development of the CRRA Resource Management Certification Program. CRMTI organized three of the initial classes of the CRRA Certification Program: Intro to Zero Waste; Intro to Resource Management; and an Advanced class entitled "Clean Production: Moving Businesses from Waste Management to Resource Management." With the concurrence of CRRA, CRMTI restructured its two introductory classes into one of the core classes required by participants to take: "Introduction to Zero Waste: the Foundation to Resource Management."

Earth Resource Foundation

Founded in 1999, Earth Resource Foundation (ERF) is an environmental educational non-profit organization developed to empower the general public with the resources needed to make environmentally sustainable choices and changes. ERF's mission statement is to preserve, conserve, and restore the Earth to a healthy and sustainable state by redirecting available human, technological, monetary and academic resources. It is the belief of ERF that people want to act responsibly but are either unaware of their negative impact on the environment or are hindered by barriers that prohibit them from acting responsibly. ERF programs are targeted at three primary audiences: youth, communities and businesses. ERF's goal is to help each of these groups determine their environmental issues and provide the resources to assist them in accomplishing their goals. Applicable campaigns of ERF include "Campaign Against the Plastics Plague (CAPP)," "Renewable Energies," and our most recent addition, "Zero In on Zero Waste."

Stephanie Barger, Executive Director, ERF

Stephanie Barger is ERF Founder, Treasurer and Executive Director. A nonprofit consultant, and a former Mortgage Banker and CPA, she brings to ERF a wealth of practical business expertise and environmental work experience. Stephanie has been involved, as a board member or lead volunteer, with a variety of groups such as the Surfrider Foundation, Green Networking for Orange County, and Green LA. She has recently assisted the City of Burbank in the launching of their Burbank Green Alliance and has provided Zero Waste technical assistance to businesses such as Whole Foods in Seattle and St. Josephs Hospital in Burbank.

CRMTI Instructors

Stephanie Barger will be the lead instructor for these classes and will participate in all of the Zero Waste Business classes offered. In addition, one of the following will participate in each of the Zero Waste Business classes offered where there are more than 10 attendees.

J. Michael Huls

President and founder of Huls Environmental Management, Mr. Huls is a California Registered Environmental Assessor (#01382), and a founding Trustee of the California Resource Management Training Institute. Widely recognized for his expertise in integrated environmental management and zero waste and emission systems, Mr. Huls' experience spans 35 years and ranges from implementing award winning recycling systems to innovative storm water management programs. Mr. Huls has a degree in Environmental Geography - Earth and Marine Sciences from CSU Dominguez Hills (1976) and performed two years of post-graduate work in environmental engineering at CSU Long Beach. He was a co-founding Board Member of the National Recycling Coalition, and a co-founder of the California Resource Recovery Association. He has served on the technical advisory committees for the 7th World Recycling Congress and the inaugural International Forum on Environmental Legislation and Sustainable Development held in Beijing, China (2006).

Since 1979, he has consulted to the US EPA on development of the hazardous waste management facility permit system and conducted over 300 industrial facility assessments, advised the Chemical Manufacturers' Association on environmental control technologies, consulted to the National Science Foundation on recycling technologies, performed state-of-the-art research for the US Congressional Office of Technology Assessment on Glass and Plastic Waste Recycling, conducted world wide assessments of municipal recycling for the World Bank and United Nations that markedly influenced grant and loan strategies world wide, counseled the State of Nebraska on market development, led Verizon Communications to real product stewardship by increasing their phone book recovery program from 6% to over 50%, advised foreign governments on development of waste minimization systems, and consulted with over 100 municipalities on recycling and zero waste management implementation. His timely release of ground breaking research findings in 1981 while under contract with the CMA had a large hand in convincing the engineering establishment to drop support of re-compacted clay lining in favor of flexible dual and triple synthetic plastic and soil lining systems for landfills.

His pioneering work in recycling program implementation with municipalities in California since 1990 includes electronic waste recycling, commercial and C&D debris recovery programs, multifamily recycling, biomass conversion and composting, and industrial recycling development. He has conducted over two-dozen solid waste generation studies; performed hundreds of environmental and business process audits that have garnered an average of 63% diversion from landfilling; conducted numerous refuse rate studies and negotiated innovative collection rate structures; facilitated and negotiated performance-based contracts with haulers and markets; conducted performance and fee assessments of private and municipal haulers that have identified almost $50 million dollars for potential and real cost recovery; and performed several RFP processes for single and multiple hauler municipal franchises. Under his direction, he has developed innovative and sustainable zero waste programs for many businesses and municipalities using his proprietary Zero Waste Assessment Module (ZWAM) based on seven key waste generating characteristics that can be routinely found in businesses: office, grounds, food services, manufacturing, vehicle maintenance, warehousing, and retail. These assessments readily identify potential opportunities for recycling applications through careful supply and demand integration of "wasted" matter and energy.

Gary Liss

Mr. Liss has over 30 years of experience in the solid waste and recycling field. Gary Liss is currently President of Gary Liss & Associates (GLA) which advises public and private sector clients on strategic solid waste and recycling policy and program analyses; develops public and private Zero Waste Plans; evaluates and develops Resource Recovery Parks; designs incentive-based solid waste and recycling systems; drafts RFPs and contracts for municipal solid waste and recycling services; and develops proposals and joint ventures among innovative reuse; recycling and composting companies.

Previously he was Executive Director of the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA). For CRRA, Mr. Liss organized workshops and their Annual Conference, including the first Zero Waste Conference in the nation in 1997. Under his leadership, CRRA adopted its Agenda for the New Millennium, which calls for Zero Waste as a new goal for resource and waste management. Mr. Liss also assisted CRRA in the formation of GRRN, a national advocacy for Zero Waste, and the Global Recycling Council (GRC), which advocates for Zero Waste primarily within California.

Prior to that, Mr. Liss was Solid Waste Manager for the City of San Jose, CA and developed their recycling programs into a national model, which is currently diverting 62% of the waste stream. Before that, he worked for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a national solid waste consulting firm, the New Jersey Department of Energy, and the City of Newark, New Jersey.

He has a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering major) from Tufts University. In 2005, Mr. Liss went through extensive training in the Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives (www.zeri.org) and is now a Certified ZERI System Designer.

Richard Anthony

Richard Anthony is an accomplished researcher, presenter, and innovator in zero waste management. Mr. Anthony received his education [B.S. 1969; M.A. 1974; Political Science (Public Administration)], from California State University, Long Beach, California. His experience is varied and a core strength, including significant time in local government, NGOs, and the private sector.

His governmental work includes:

County of Fresno, Public Works; Solid Waste Program Coordinator 1979-1987)
County of San Diego, Public Works; Principal Solid Waste Program Manager (1987-1994)
County of San Diego, Public Works; Public Works Program Coordinator, Wastewater Management Division (1994 - 98)

His private sector experience includes:

SCS Engineers; Project Scientist (1974-1979)
Richard Anthony Associates (1996-present)
State of California, Senate Task Force for Solid Waste Management; Recycling Committee Chairman (1987-1989)

His NGO experience includes both university experience and nonprofit organizations:

Lecturer; Careers in Waste Management, Public Administration, San Diego State University (1989-1993)
Instructor; Solid Waste Management, Environmental Health Department, Fresno State University (1986)
Lecturer and Class Coordinator; Solid Waste Management and Recycling, Engineering Department, California State University Long Beach (1976-198O)

Voluntary Positions:

Board of Directors Grassroots Recycling Network (1996-present)
Board of Directors; California Resource Recovery Association (1975-1979, 1980-1993, 1994-96, 2000-present)
Board of Directors; Keep California Beautiful (1991- present)
Board of Directors; Mount Carmel Soccer Booster Club dba Sun Devil Recycling (1991-96)
Founding member and former Board of Director; National Recycling Coalition (1980-1993)
California State University Long Beach, Associated Students Ecology Commission (1971-1974)
Board of Directors; Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) (2003-present)
Board of Directors; California Resource Management Training Institute (CRMTI) (2004-present)
Best Regional Recycling Program; National Recycling Coalition 1993
Life membership; California Resource Recovery Association 1993
Best Recycling Program; California Department of Conservation 1990
National Environmental Leader CRRA; National Recycling Coalition 1987
Recycler of the Year; California Resource Recovery Association 1984
Recycler of the Year; California Resource Recovery Association 2003

Jaime Lozano

Jaime Lozano has over 20 years of experience in the environmental field working both with Solid and Hazardous Waste. Mr. Lozano is adept at implementing new and innovative programs, and currently he is the Chair and President of the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition (SBBEC). He co-founded the group in 1990, and through his leadership SBBEC has acquired a statewide reputation for its environmental leadership activities. The SBBEC is comprised of representatives from the private and public sectors of Southern California who sought a forum in 1990 to express common concerns for environmental issues and regulations impacting businesses, communities and educational institutions. Business entities, government agencies, educators and community volunteers pool their expertise in a cooperative relationship to improve the environment shared by all. Today, the SBBEC has two main areas of focus: K-12 environmental education the annual Regional Environmental Science Fair, and the stewardship of positive and innovative environmental practices by Los Angeles area businesses. Stewardship is encouraged one way through the WRAP/Environmental Stewardship recognition ceremony originally conceived by Mr. Lozano and now conducted annually by the SBBEC.

WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) awards are presented annually by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to businesses that demonstrate sound environmental practices. Mr. Lozano paired the SBBEC with the CIWMB in 2000 to create an event to reward the Los Angeles area WRAP winners for their innovative waste reduction and recycling practices. For the past five years, the Cities Subcommittee of the SBBEC, the CIWMB and the Los Angeles Regional Agency (LARA) have brought this one-of-a-kind event to the businesses of Los Angeles. WRAP winners are honored with beautiful recycled glass awards and a ceremony featuring prestigious special guests, including local elected officials and CIWMB board members.

The mission of the SBBEC Regional WRAP awards ceremony is to create a unique recognition and empowerment event for South Bay WRAP recipients and provide an annual forum where South Bay businesses, municipalities, community leaders, and refuse and recycling service providers have an opportunity to assemble, network, and pool expertise and experience to:

Proactively strive to preserve and enhance our natural resources;
Find workable, sustainable solutions to environmental problems;
Encourage responsible environmental practices, polices and standards;
Document /Showcase exemplary programs and approaches for peer mentoring; and
Break down perceived barriers between Businesses and Governmental Agencies

Prior to his work with the SBBEC, Mr. Lozano completed two years of Law School, Interned for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Oklahoma, working on both Civil and Criminal litigation, he then returned to the Los Angeles area and worked in a local Law Firm as a law Clerk responsible for the day to day activities in a major Environmental Litigation called the McColl Toxic Waste Dump Case. After that assignment, he worked as a Safety & Environmental Manager at various Private Firms, including Northrop Aircraft Division and Lorber (Textile) Industries, where he implemented major waste diversion programs that continue to this day!

After working in the private sector, Mr. Lozano was recruited by the City of Carson to implement their waste diversion compliance programs mandated by the State of California. When Mr. Lozano took Carson's Waste Management Program over, their diversion rate based on disposal in 1990 was an intimidating negative 147% and required enormous and aggressive outreach and educational programs to turn the City's growth in disposal around to the mandated 50% diversion mandate that California required be met by the year 2000! Mr. Lozano worked diligently with the Business Community, conducted extensive outreach and educational workshops, and provided businesses with "Free" process audits that identified potential wasting and cost avoidance within each business's operations. By the year 2000, when Mr. Lozano departed the City of Carson, the City's diversion rate was a positive 72%, was now considered a model jurisdiction by the State of California, and had received many awards including the First Trash Cutters Award from the State of California, and an Award from the U.S. Congress, for its exemplary programs.

Mr. Lozano has also worked for the City of Hawthorne, and currently works for the City of Los Angeles, where he is responsible for working with Businesses who wish to review their operations and implement new waste diversion programs.

Mr. Lozano also works on special assignments with the U.S. Department of State. Mr. Lozano has been chosen to represent the United States, the State of California, and all three Cities where he has been employed, internationally in Central and South America on Solid and Hazardous Waste Issues. Thus far, he has traveled to El Salvador, (twice), Venezuela, Argentina, (twice), and Chile. While there, Mr. Lozano has worked closely with Local Government, Legislators, Non-Governmental Organizations, Businesses, and local community leaders to discuss, identify and find solutions for environmental problems. Mr. Lozano's experiences have been quite rewarding and he actually maintains many contacts and friendships after his travel assignments; in fact many of his contacts have later traveled to visit him here in Los Angeles.

Affiliations:

Board Chair, South Bay Business Environmental Coalition Trustee, California Resource Management Training Institute Member, California Waste Association Member, North American Hazardous Waste Association Associate, Los Angeles County Disposal Association Past Board Member, Los Angeles District, Explorers Post