Recycling Practice and Theory

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Open to Recycling Certification Series Students Only!

Registration for this course is only open to students who are currently enrolled in the NJ Recycling Certification Series. If you would like to enroll in the program to become a Certified Recycling Professional, please contact Pamela Springard-Mayer at pspring@rutgers.edu or 848-932-7463.

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Course Details

Course Name: Recycling Practice and Theory
Course Code: ER0111YA26
Date of Most Recent Offering: October 3, 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 2025

Date: October 3, 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 2025
Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm EDT/EST

Format: Hybrid course combining online and in-person, classroom instruction and in-person site visits
Location October 3 & November 6, 2025: Cook Student Center, 59 Biel Rd, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Location October 9, 2025:  Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence Columbus Rd., Bordentown, NJ 08505 (Directions)
Location October 16, 23 & 30, 2025: Online

*Continental breakfast and lunch included for those attending in person classes

Recycling Series Registration Fee: $345 per person

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the NJ Recycling Certification Series.

Recycling has evolved from something that we do just because it is environmentally sound to something that has substantial economic and sustainability benefits as well. By combining presentations by guest speakers and field visits to solid waste and recycling facilities across the state, this course will show you how recycling can become “asset management” and a vital part of your organization’s operations. You will learn how to perform a waste audit, understand recycling markets, increase participation rates, put efficiency to work for you, and much more!

Who Should Attend?

If you are completing the NJ Recycling Certification Program in order to become a Certified Recycling Professional, you must take this course.

Meet Your Instructor

Wayne DeFeo, DeFeo Associates

Headshot of instructor Wayne DeFeo

Wayne DeFeo is the founder of DeFeo Associates, a full service environmental consulting firm. He is an NJDEP Certified Compost Facility Operator, member of the US Composting Council, and brings more than 25 years of experience in the recycling/solid waste field to the classroom. Past students describe him as “funny and engaging” and “very informative” with “great energy and passion for the subject.”

Mark Vangieri

Headshot of instructor Mark Vangieri

Mark Vangieri is the Administration and Solid Waste Program Manager for the Bergen County Utilities Authority, and he is the Recycling Coordinator for Bergen County, NJ. Mark also held the position of Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator and has worked for the Authority for over 34 years. Mark supervises the department that serves as the designated implementing agency of the Bergen County Solid Waste Management Plan and his responsibilities include planning, developing and coordinating waste management programs for the Bergen County Solid Waste Management District.

Mark is a graduate of Kean University and the New Jersey Recycling Professional Certification Series. He is also a Certified Municipal Solid Waste Systems Manager and Certified Recycling Manager from the Solid Waste Association of North America. Mark has been a board member of the Association of New Jersey Recyclers for over 20 years.

Student Reviews

“I found the information eye opening. I understand more about ponding, dirty fill, leachate just for a start. The need to understand what can be recycled was very informative.  More should take classes to understand recycling better as well.”

– Kathy Fischbach, Jackson Township Department of Public Works

Clerk

“Very informative. All instructors made the class interesting and user friendly. I didn’t realize how difficult it can be to identify what is recyclable.”

– Dave Paretti, Waterford Township

Foreman DPW

“You’ll learn new information. [Most useful was] waste audits. [I learned to] make sure you have all your exemptions on file.”

– Margaret Deleon-Rivera, Ocean County Solid Waste Management

Assistant Administrative Analyst

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Recycling Practice and Theory was approved for 3.6 Rutgers CEUs (36 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Recycling Practice and Theory course is approved for 3.6 Rutgers CEUs (36 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 10 Technical and 10 Government Contact Hours

NJ Certified Recycling Professionals (CRP): 18 Classroom Recertification Credits

Course Requirements and Policies

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

Policies for October 16, 23 & 30, 2025 Online Class Meetings

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Rutgers Canvas learning management system and Zoom.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • A laptop or desktop computer is required for this class.
  • Speakers and microphone are not necessary as a call-in option is available.
  • You must have a camera and a microphone to participate in this class.

Once you register with OCPE, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” saying, “Click here to finish the registration process,” to create your new account in the Canvas Virtual Platform. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.

One week before the start date of class, you will receive an email from Claudine Oleskin with more details on the class.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $100 cancellation fee applies for this course. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Recycling Practice and Theory, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Pamela Springard-Mayer

Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer
848-932-7463
pspring@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Claudine Oleskin
848-932-7204
coleskin@njaes.rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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The word Recycle on corrugated metal wall above bales of plastic recyclables

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