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Zero Waste Principles and Practices Certification

This program is issued jointly by CRRA and SWANA and is administered as part of the SWANA Certification Program recognized throughout the United States and Canada.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE FALL COURSE - OCTOBER 2-6, 2023, CLICK HERE


For over 40 years CRRA has been a leader in Zero Waste education in California.  Now, joining forces with SWANA, CRRA offers a new professional development course that will certify professionals in Zero Waste Principles and Practices throughout North America.

This course provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of rapidly emerging public and private sector Zero Waste programs and the key principles that support these programs. The course also provides tools to help draw together aspects of existing programs and new efforts into community-specific Zero Waste Programs.

The Zero Waste Principles & Practices certification course is a joint undertaking of SWANA and the California Resource Recovery Association. CRRA is dedicated to achieving environmental sustainability in and beyond California through Zero Waste strategies. SWANA, with its work in 45 chapters across the United States and Canada, is committed to educating professionals working in the industry and to moving the industry as a whole from a focus on solid waste management to resource management.

Content and Approach

The Zero Waste Principles & Practices course encompasses a broad overview of Zero Waste principles and practices in 10 modules covering public policy, programs, technology and measurement:

  • Introduction to Zero Waste, including a survey of different definitions and perspectives
  • What’s In Your Waste Stream?
  • Upstream, Midstream and Downstream: understanding Zero Waste strategies as they affect each stage of product lifestyles
  • Collections Options
  • Processing Technology Options
  • Managing Organics
  • Public Venues and Challenging Materials
  • Changing Behavior through Education and Outreach
  • Financing and Funding
  • Contracting and Partnerships

The course provides many opportunities for discussion among instructors and participants. It draws on current materials and examples from outside the published manual and engages students in several in-class exercises.

The Zero Waste Principles and Practices Certification is issued jointly by CRRA and SWANA and is administered as part of the SWANA Certification Program recognized throughout the United States and Canada.

Individuals and employers who will benefit from Zero Waste Principles and Practices Certification:

  • Municipal and tribal recycling and solid waste professionals

  • Recycling and solid waste services providers

  • Consultants and contractors serving the recycling sector

  • Business and municipal sustainability professionals

  • Zero Waste and sustainability community advocates

  • Private and public sector policymakers

  • Private/non-profit business sustainability professionals.

This course focuses on developing community-specific Zero Waste plans for reducing, reusing, and recycling materials found in municipal solid waste (MSW) generated from residential, commercial and institutional sources.

For updates and news on upcoming classes, join our mailing list. 

 


Upcoming events

  • Prevention, Reuse, and Repair Council (PRR) Monthly Call

    • 22 Jul 2026
    • 25 Nov 2026
    • 4 sessions

    Prevention, Reuse, & Repair (PRR) Member Meeting

    Join us for PRR Technical Council (PRR) monthly member meetings! 

    Meetings on the 4th Wednesday of the Month (starting in January 2026) from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

    You don't need to be a CRRA member to attend our meetings, but you do need to be a member to get some perks.

    To register, you must be part of PRR's online member community. Click HERE to join PRR and get plugged into this group of amazing professionals and zero waste warriors.


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  • Zero Waste Campus Council (ZWCC) Monthly Call

    • 28 Jul 2026
    • 24 Nov 2026
    • 4 sessions

    Zero Waste Campus Council (ZWCC) Member Meeting

    Join us for ZWCC Technical Council's monthly member meetings "Meet Up, Waste Down".

    Meet Up, Waste Down is ZWCC's monthly gathering to share experiences around waste reduction and diversion issues surrounding building and campus environments. 

    Meetings take place on the last Tuesday of the Month from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. 

    You don't need to be a CRRA member to attend ZWCC meetings.

    To register, you must be part of ZWCC's online member community. Click HERE to join ZWCC and get connected to meetings, events and the ZWCC community.


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  • Local Agency Technical Council (LATC) Meeting

    • 25 Aug 2026
    • 27 Oct 2026
    • 2 sessions

    Local Agency Technical Council (LATC) Meeting 

    Please join us for this month’s CRRA Local Agency Technical Council (LATC) Speaker Series meeting on Tuesday, June 23rd at 2:00 p.m for Last Minute SB 1383 LAG Funding Ideas.  

    With the end of the Senate Bill 1383 Local Assistance Grant (LAG) Program term approaching, this discussion will provide local agencies with practical and feasible ideas for expending remaining grant funds within the limited time available. 

    Our featured speakers include Natalie Lessa of ReCREATE Waste Collaborative and Luis Rodrigo Garcia Chavez of San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG). After their presentations and Q&A, there will be a peer-sharing discussion, so be sure to bring your ideas and experiences! 

    SPEAKER BIOS

    Natalie Lessa: Natalie Lessa is a behavior change specialist with a background in public relations and environmental health. She is the Co-Founder of ReCREATE Waste Collaborative where she helps local jurisdictions implement SB 1383 through developing education and outreach programs, waiver assessments, and edible food recovery inspections. Natalie has been a solid waste consultant in California for 11 years, is the Co-Chair of CRRA's Behavior-Based Strategies Council, and an Education and Outreach instructor on GreenEducation.US. Natalie lives in Long Beach with her dog Jazz where she strives to keep our beaches free of plastic debris.Image

    Luis Rodrigo Garcia Chavez: My name is Luis Rodrigo Garcia Chavez, and I am a Management Analyst with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG). I work on the FRESH SGV Program, which focuses on increasing surplus food recovery, supporting compliance with SB 1383 requirements for jurisdictions, and expanding and strengthening the San Gabriel Valley’s food recovery network. A fun fact about me is that I recently completed my first marathon and am planning to train for an ultramarathon!

    To register for this meeting, you must be a part of LATC's online community. Sign up HERE and look for registration information once admitted to the community. 

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  • Exhibitor Booth Registration - 51st CRRA Annual Conference and Trade Show

    • 29 Aug 2027
    • 01 Sep 2027
    • SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, 1401 K St, Sacramento
    Register

    Thank you for your interest in exhibiting at CRRA's 51st Conference and Trade Show. 

    Please fill out the registration form and submit payment to fully secure your booth. Booth registrations submitted without payment will be held for 30 days only, then released (current and potential sponsors, please see below). Please include your top five booth selections in the Booth Selection field. 

    INCLUDED IN YOUR EXHIBIT BOOTH REGISTRATION:

    • 1 8' x 10' booth (to view our current map, click HERE)
    • 1 full conference registration (to be assigned by May 30, 2027)
    • 1 2' x 6' table
    • 2 chairs
    • Company ID sign  

    PRICING STRUCTURE:

    2026 Exhibitor Re-sign Pricing - $1,800 - September 1st through September 30th, 2026 

    Early-Bird Pricing - $2,000 - October 1st through December 31st, 2026 

    Regular Rate Pricing- $2,200 - On or after January 1st, 2027 

    EXHIBITOR CANCELLATION POLICY:

    • Send written cancellation requests by email to Florence@crra.com. Cancellation requests will not be accepted by phone.  
    • Cancellation requests received by February 28, 2027 will receive a 100% refund, less a $150 processing fee.
    • Cancellation requests received between March 1, 2027 and May 30, 2027 will receive a 50% refund, less a $150 processing fee.
    • No refunds will be given after May 30, 2027.

    SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

    If you are a returning or prospective sponsor:

    • You must submit this exhibit booth registration in order to secure your booth assignment for 2027.
    • Do not submit payment for your booth registration.
    • Sponsorship packages will be released in January.*
    • You will be contacted regarding your sponsorship selection and payment at that time.

    *Sponsorship packages for 2027 are currently under review and may be adjusted to reflect updated pricing, benefits, and event costs.



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 California Resource Recovery Association   813 Harbor Blvd #185   West Sacramento, CA 95691  (916) 441-2772

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