Recycling & Compost Facility Operators Courses

The NM Recycling Coalition, in partnership with the NM Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau is hosting the following facility operator certification classes in 2024

NMED Solid Waste Bureau is only offering one course per year this year, instead of two.  Individuals that have current certifications as recycling or compost facility operators or administrative extensions of their certifications (valid through June 30, 2024) are encouraged to take alternative trainings to earn their required 24 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) towards recertification.  To assist with this, NMRC will offer numerous day-long tours and trainings throughout the year for 8 CEUs each.  The first one is Thursday, February 22nd in Albuquerque.  Click HERE to register and learn more.

Recycling Course - Albuquerque March 19-21, 2024

The class is currently full, click HERE to add your name to the wait list.

Compost Course - Albuquerque November 19-21, 2024

Click HERE to register for the compost course.

NMRC is now offering 8 CEUs of online classes to be used towards your Certified Operator Recertification.  Click HERE to learn more

Administrative Extension due to Pandemic
If individuals received extensions from NM Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau (SWB) due the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to secure the required 24 CEUs is June 30, 2024.  NMRC will host day-long trainings throughout the year to assist with this.  The first one is Thursday, February 22, 2024 in Albuquerque.  Click here to register and learn more.

How do I get the 24 CEUs needed?
The SWB has authorized CERTIFIED online trainings as a form of receiving CEU credits.  NMRC is now offering 8 CEUs of online classes to be used towards your Certified Operator Recertification.  Click HERE to learn more and register!

Questions about the status of your certification?
Contact Bill Schueler at SWB at William.Schueler@state.nm.us – see https://www.env.nm.gov/solid-waste/training/ for more information as well

Visit the NM-SWANA web site to get details on registering for the Landfill and Transfer Station Certification Courses.

Make Online Payments

To pay online for a training click here.

Recycling and Composting Facility Operator Certification Courses

State Solid Waste Rules require that public and private solid waste facilities have certified operators. These courses enable operators to become certified!

The New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau (NMED:SWB), in partnership with NMRC, hosts two recycling and two compost facility operators certification courses each year.

# of DaysTraining HoursMax Class SizeCost for MembersCosts for NonMembers
38 AM - 5 PM45$349$449

Both compost and recycling courses are taught by experts in the fields and are required for New Mexico Environment Department facility operator certification. Classes consist of three days of training and a test at the end of the training. To become certified at the state level, participants must pass the test with a score of 70% or higher.

The Recycling Course Covers:

· Solid Waste Management Overview
· Solid Waste Laws and Regulations
· Composition of Waste
· Marketing and Transportation
· Economics of Recycling
· Collection of Recyclables
· Recycling Facility Design and Operations
· Problem Waste and Waste Screening
· Safety at Recycling Facilities--OSHA
· Record Keeping
· Education and Public Relations
· Organics Recycling
· Recycling History and Trends
· Special Use Areas
· Recycling Field Exercise/Tour

 The Composting Course Covers:

· Benefits of Composting
· Composting Process
· Raw Materials/Mix Design
· Compost Production Methods
· Compost Operations & Facility Management
· Site & Environmental Controls/Regulations
· Utilizing Compost/Specifications
· Compost Analytical Demonstration/Guest Speakers
· Compost Quality Measurements/Salts
· Compost Use by NMDOT
· Mortality Composting
· Compost Field Exercise /Tour
· Compost Economics & Marketing
· Compost and Plant Disease Suppression
· Other Options for Organics Management

Details

NM Recycling and Composting Facility Operator Certification Course Details

NMED:SWB and NMRC host two recycling courses and two composting courses annually.  Our maximum class size is 35 students so please remember to register as early as possible to be assured a seat in the course.

To become a certified composting or recycling facility operator an individual shall:

  • Complete the appropriate certification training course
  • Pass an examination approved by NMED
  • Have at least one year of experience in the operation of a facility of the same type as that for which certification is sought
  • File an application with the department on a form provided by the department
  • Meet the requirements of the Parental Responsibility Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 40-5A-1 to 40-5A-13 (1998 Cum. Supp.)

Renewal of a certification shall be obtained by:

  • Submitting an application at least 30 days prior to the expiration date;
  • And successfully completing:
    • An operator certification training course offered by the department or its designated agent; or
    • An alternate training course which has been approved by the department; or
    • 24 hours of course work which has been approved by the department.

For additional information regarding Operator Certification contact William Schueler, NMED, Solid Waste Bureau, Outreach and Technical Assistance Section, at 505-771-5982 or by  e-mail at: William Schueler at william.schueler@state.nm.us

Payment arrangements must be made before attending the course either by actual payment or by PO number. If a municipality or business has an outstanding due payment, they cannot send any registrants to courses until that past due invoice has been paid. There will be a $25 cancellation fee is you do not notify us before the late registration date.

Certification: To obtain NMED Solid Waste Facility Operator Certification, applicants must complete a course, score at least 70% on the certification exam offered at the end of each course, and have at least one year of experience operating the type of facility for which certification is sought.

Visit the NMSWANA web site to get details on registering for the Landfill and Transfer Station Courses.

Types of Certification