Certificate in Compost Facility Operation
This course provides compost operators, regulators of facilities and anyone interested in starting a composting facility with the practical knowledge on how to compost properly, how to produce a high quality compost product and how to be compliant with all the regulations. The course was developed by Cré in co-operation with FÁS and Institute of Technology Sligo. The course allows participants to satisfy the general Environmental Protection Agency requirement for a suitably qualified and experienced facility manager to operate a licensed composting facility.
INTENDED FOR
Facility Operators
– for use in process management. The operating principles described in the course are designed to assist operators be more efficient and save money as they manage day-to-day operations.Management
at all levels involved in the operation of waste facilities and those with a primary responsibility for complying with Environmental Protection Agency Waste Licencing requirements and conditions.Planners and Decision Makers-
for use in understanding basic principles of compost facility operations. As planners and decision makers gain a better understanding of what is required for successful composting, they will be better equipped to support planning applications for compost facility projects.Consultants and Designers-
for use in designing and assisting clients with the operation of their composting projects.Regulators and Enforcement Agencies
- for use in understanding basic principles of compost facility operations, which will assist then in their role as regulators of compost facilities.The following is an abstract of John Gormely, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's speech at the launch of the Certificate in Compost Facility Operation:
"If we are going to have more facilities and bigger facilities we need people to operate them. Trained operators are better operators and all areas of activity benefit from skilled and knowledgeable staff- composting is no different. I commend all involved: Cré, the Institute of Technology Sligo; FÁS – all for the excellent work in delivering this training program. In particular, I want to congratulate the people who have completed the course and I say well done to all of you"METHODOLOGY
The course is delivered by a team of approved tutors who have extensive national and international experience in the field of composting/waste management. Students are required to complete site visit reports for each composting facility visited. A comprehensive training manual (300 pages) and copies of all presentation will be provided to everyone. It will be taught in classrooms and there will be site visits to a number of composting facilities, such as a large green waste composting facility (windrow technology), a small green waste composting facility and two food waste composting facilities (In- vessel / Animal by Product Facilities). Students will undertake an exam after the end of the course.
DURATION
The course will last 6 days, comprising three blocks of 2 days over a period of time.CERTIFICATION
The course has been accredited by the Institute of Technology, Sligo (under delegated authority from HETAC). The Course is entitled "
Certificate in Compost Facility Operation" (Special Purpose Award Certificate, Level 6, 10 credits). This course is the first Special Purpose Award to be accredited by IT Sligo. It is equivalent to a 10 credit subject of a Higher Certificate in Science. Normally a Higher Certificate is taken over the first two years of full-time course in a third level institute and involves achieving a total of 120 credits. A Special Purpose Award is designed for a course in a specialist subject area which is not a component subject of an existing academic programme and is insufficient in itself to justify a full award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate) or other levels. The accreditation for this course is recognised nationally and internationally. Students will also receive a Certificate of Attendance from Cré for CPD. Cré is an approved training provider from Engineers Ireland.COURSE DEVELOPMENT
To ensure the best possible course content, representatives from all the stakeholders in the industry formed an overall course development steering committee. Representatives from the following organisations were on the committee; Institute of Technology Sligo, Composting & Recycling Consultants Ireland, Carlow County Council, Galway City Council, Veolia Environmental, FÁS, Environmental Protection Agency, Golder Associates and Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
COURSE CONTENT
Definitions and Biology of Composting
What is composting?, What is compost?, Understanding the basic biology and principles of composting
Composting Process
Tipping and receiving, waste acceptance procedure, suitable feedstocks, feedstock preparation, Initial composting phase, stabilisation and curing, screening, product testing & interpretation of results, blending, storage and packaging
Composting Equipment and Technologies
Feedstock preparation equipment: shredders & mixers, Windrow turners, aerated static pile composting systems In-vessel composting systems & screens
Health and Safety
Regulatory issues, risk assessment & monitoring and reporting
Potential Environmental Impacts & Mitigation
Odour, Dust and bioaerosols, leachate, surface water, pests and vectors, noise, litter and fire control
Compliance with Regulatory Framework
Waste permit, waste licence, animal by-product licence & certificate of registration
Process Control
Techniques and technology, moisture, oxygen and temperature, quality assurance and quality control, HACCP for composting facilities, compost testing parameters: field tests, laboratory testing & troubleshooting problems
Community Relations
Being a good neighbour, working with the neighbours, receiving and handling complaints, communications, tours, open houses, compost give-aways, working with the media to get positive coverage
Compost Uses
QAS scheme, types of products and potential uses, value added products & their potential markets, understand product quality from end user stand point
Facility Maintenance
Site: landscaping, utilities, hard standing, compost system, ancillary equipment & environmental management system
New to Course!!The course allows participants to satisfy the general Environmental Protection Agency requirement for a suitably qualified and experienced facility manager to operate a licensed composting facility.
Session explaining the New Food Waste Regulations
Update on the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) for anaerobic digestion
Information on the EPA's New Pre-Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste
A free copy of the Cré-FAS "The Practical Guide to Compost Marketing and Sales (worth €100)
Information on how to prepare a stage one Animal By Product application
COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED THE COURSE
"
From the site visits, I have taken different techniques on record keeping and house management to improve my existing site" Kevin McCabe, Enrich."Our composting facility is just about to start operating and the course has given us virtually all the information and tools to ensure that we get off to a good start" Pete Murtagh, Sligo County Council.
"We are at the start up stage-excellent for overall information" John Prunty, Preseco Ireland.
"Broadness of speakers/items covered was excellent. Group exercises were a fantastic example of how everyone comes up with different ideas. The interaction was also an excellent way to meet and converse with others" "I now have a great insight into the composting industry in Ireland" Katie O'Neill, Atkins Ireland Ltd.
"More than met expectations, excellently organised and delivered. The site visits were particularly useful and excellent to see some of the subjects/theory/equipment etc. in practice"" Andrew Wilson, Ballymun Regeneration.
"Difficult to make suggestions for improvements in what I consider the best of many courses I have attended" P.J.Phelan, Phelan Services.
"Good diversity, good site visits, good group work and good visiting speakers" Tara Griffin, CTO Greenclean.
COURSE DATES
The course will be held at the Hamlet Court Hotel in Enfield Co. Kildare (middle of January 2011), Clanard Court Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare Day (end of January 2011) and a hotel in Navan, Co. Meath (start of February 2011).
The course will be limited to a maximum of 30 students per course.
FEE
The fee includes all manuals (printed in colour), tea breaks, lunches and travel from training centres to composting facilities. The cost per student is €1,195 (Previously was €1,875); this is €199 per day. (€995 course fee + IT Sligo certification fee €200 = €1,195). In order to get a sufficient number of students to run the course, we are asking people if they want to do the course, to send a deposit of €200. If the course does not proceed this deposit is 100% refunded to you. Only on receipt of your completed booking form and the full fee will confirmation of your place be issued to you.
APPLICATION FORM & FURTHER INFORMATION
Percy Foster
, Cré, PO Box 13, Dundalk, Co. Louth Email: percy@cre.ie Tel: 086-8129260Closing date 29 October 2010
