Course content

The course covers technologies for solid waste management and recycling and resource recovery from waste systems. The course contents will be developed in collaboration with a number of external partners from the waste management sector, as a result of a national project for increased priority to education and research within waste management and technology. As a result there will be a close collaboration with actors in the waste management sector, including Avfall Norge, waste companies, municipalities and other universities.

The contents of the course are to be decided in detail later, but the following elements may be included: i) Introduction to waste management, technology, economics, policy and regulation, ii) Generation and characterization of waste, iii) Waste collection, iv) Mechanical treatment, v) Thermal treatment, vi) Biological treatment, vii) Landfilling, viii) Resource recovery, recycling and waste prevention, ix) Life cycle assessment.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
The student shall have acquired knowledge on: i) Strategies and solutions for solid waste management and recycling and resource recovery from waste systems, ii) Theory regarding technologies for waste management and resource recovery from waste.

Skills:
The student shall be able to: i) Explain the elements of waste policy, ii) Explain the main elements of waste generation and characterization, iii) Explain common technical solutions and designs for collection and treatment of waste and resource recovery from waste, iv) Interpret life cycle assessment studies of waste systems, and v) Reflect on important requirements for effective and environmentally friendly systems for solid waste.

General competance:
The student shall be able to: i) Adopt a systems perspective in assessment of solutions and systems for solid waste management, ii) Be able to communicate in good ways with specialists and decision makers.

Learning methods and activities

The course is offered in the form of a number of half/full day seminars, with active use of guest lectures from outside. The course includes lectures, exercises and a semester project.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

No particular recommended previous knowledge.

Required previous knowledge

No particular previous knowledge required.

Course materials

Selected parts of textbook: Thomas H. Christensen: "Solid Waste Technology & Management", Wiley 2011.
Selected research publications and other materials.