Sustainable Materials and Recycling Policy

(Fall II - October/ November)

Online Course | Zoom Classroom

Class 1: Tuesday, October 27th | 1:00 - 3:45 PM ET

Class 2: Tuesday, November 3rd | 1:00 - 3:45 PM ET

Class 3: Tuesday, November 10th | 1:00 - 3:45 PM ET

Discounts and Cancellation Policy

  • Discount: Register 2+ employees, for the same course, for 10% off enrollment. Reach out to Sophie at sophie@nerc.org for the discount code.
  • Discount: Emerging Professionals accepted into the 2026 program and attending the Rethink Resource Use Conference this October in Princeton, NJ will receive a 35% discount on the course. Please reach out to Mariane at mariane@nerc.org for more information.
  • Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be subject to a $25 processing fee up to one week before the course begins, at which point only credit for a future course of equal value will be provided.


Please note: Discounts are not stackable.

Description

This course offers a deeper dive into the policies and frameworks that govern recycling and sustainable materials management in the U.S. Participants will examine key policy drivers and how these regulations shape recycling initiatives, compliance requirements, and sustainable practices. Through live sessions and case studies, participants will explore best practices for implementing new legislation and how to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainability regulations. This course offers valuable insights for policy advocates, environmental professionals, and business leaders.

Syllabus

  • Module 1: History of Recycling Policy 
  • Module 2: Main Trends of Past Policies 
  • Module 3: History of DRS in the U.S. 
  • Module 4: EPR Past & Present (Packaging & Paper Products (PPP) and Other Materials) 
  • Module 5: Additional Packaging Policies 
  • Module 6: Education and Outreach Best Practices with Policy Changes 


Rates

Member Non-Member
Corporate $355 $450
Non-Profit, Government, Academia $305 $390

Course Instructor

Garth Hickle

Managing Director, RRS

Garth Hickle is a Managing Director at the Signalfire Group. Previously, he led the product stewardship program for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and oversaw the implementation of EPR programs for rechargeable batteries, electronics, and architectural paint. Garth is also a senior lecturer and visiting scholar at the University of Minnesota. he holds a MA in Public Administration from Hamline University, an MSEL from Vermont Law School, and a PhD in Industrial Ecology and Sustainability from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Instructor is to be announced...

Contact Mariane Medeiros, Senior Project Manager, for questions at  mariane@nerc.org.