SWANA prides itself on advancing the practice of environmentally and economically sound municipal solid waste management in North America through its professional training and certification programs. Courses like MOLO (Manager of Landfill Operations), offered through SWANA International, provide training and certification for landfill managers, inspectors, recyclers, collectors and others involved in planning, designing and managing municipal solid waste. MOLO and other SWANA certifications are transferable from any jurisdiction in North America as they are Association standards that are recognized by many agencies.

Participants taking the local content course and successfully completing an exam are awarded a diploma indicating that the BC Pacific SWANA Chapter recognizes them as a Qualified BC Landfill Operator. The course focuses on the issues specific to operating landfills in British Columbia, including many operational efficiency and safety related issues. We are encouraging all regional districts and municipalities that operate landfills to incorporate requirements in their contracts for all landfill staff to be certified internationally under MOLO or to be recognized in this BC-specific program. SWANA’s training and certification offers significant value to regional districts through improved operations, increased cost effectiveness and reduced liabilities. Although many local governments contract out some or all of their solid waste operations, they are still accountable for protecting public health, safeguarding the environment and conserving and recovering material and energy resources. The BC Chapter encourages appropriate training for different levels of job responsibility. The SWANA certification course for managers of landfill operations (MOLO) is recognized as the preeminent standard in North America. It does, however, address a level of responsibility, theory and knowledge of mathematics beyond the level required of most landfill equipment operators.

Currently, professionals in the solid waste management field in BC have the option of taking BCQLO and receiving a diploma, or MOLO and becoming SWANA certified. Currently some Regional Districts in BC are asking operators at their landfills to be SWANA certified. The BC Chapter is developing a program delivering an appropriate level of training:

• Managers may elect to take both MOLO and BCQLO training, recognizing that MOLO is a transferable certification to jurisdictions in North America outside of BC.

• Equipment operators may elect to take BCQLO alone as a means to obtain/maintain recognition of an appropriate level of expertise and knowledge. Some equipment operators may elect to augment BCQLO with MOLO so that this recognition is transferable to jurisdictions in North America outside of BC.

 The BC Chapter hosts a 2-day BCQLO training centre with examination once each year, offering a diploma upon successful completion. The 2-day BCQLO training centre is intended to be offered concurrently with a Chapter gathering held in the format of an annual integrated waste management technical conference. This will showcase the 2-day BCQLO training centre and also allow for technical sessions for SWANA members and interested individuals not taking BCQLO.  This is separate from any SWANA MOLO Training Centres hosted by the SWANA BC Chapter in conjunction with Pacific Northwest Regional Symposia. In years when the BC Chapter hosts the Pacific Northwest Regional Symposium, a 2-day BCQLO training centre will be held 6 months later in another region of the province.

Because significant changes in landfill operations do occur over time, to maintain their BCQLO status, all participants will be required to repeat the full BCQLO course after 9 years. The SWANA BC Chapter business plan is to deliver a BCQLO course a minimum of once per year (initiated in 2008), and to visit the various regional centres in a 3 year rotation.