Alberta Composting Facility Operator Certification Program
Alberta's waste management facility operator certification program was updated by Alberta Environment on January 1, 2010 to reflect changes to the Province's solid waste regulatory framework. The Program has been renamed, and is now known as the Alberta Landfill and Composting Facility Operator Certification` Program. All waste management facilities and operators in Alberta have been required to meet the new program requirements since September 1, 2011.
Alberta requires that all non-agricultural composting facilities be supervised by a certified operator during their hours of operation. The person who is responsible for the facility shall ensure that all key operational personnel have a basic certification as well as any required endorsements. Key operating personnel are individuals that are designated as the on-site supervisors who are responsible for operations at the facility. This does not include employees or contractors that are exclusively employed for equipment operation.
Since the program updates in 2010, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas no longer administers certification applications and exams or issue certificates. Instead this role has been taken over by certifying partners. The Compost Council of Canada is the certifying partner for the Compost Operator Certification Program while the Northern Lights Chapter of SWANA is the certifying partner for the Landfill Operator Certification Program.
The overall program is governed by the Alberta Landfill and Compost Facility Operator Certification Guidelines . The Solid Waste Certification Advisory Committee (SWCAC), chaired by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, also continues to oversee the program by making recommendations on program requirements, exam bank updates, auditing certifying partner programs, and other matters that are integral to the certification program. A principal requirement to obtain and maintain certification is the accumulation of Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Alberta Environment has updated its CEU Policy, which can be found here.
Answers to common questions can be found here (FAQ). Background information on landfill and composting facility operator certification can be obtained from:
