Training

Many communities in North Dakota operate inert wastes landfills. Inert waste landfills are useful for smaller communities by giving local populations a nearby facility to store major appliances, scrap metal and junk vehicles for future recycling and a landfill that can be used to dispose of bulky waste items such as old furniture, tree branches, concrete, asphalt, wood, bricks, shingles, and tires. This training course prepares people in small communities to operate an inert waste landfill. Subjects included in the training include site selection and development, waste acceptance, composting, operations, and closure/post-closure care.

Join us for free, in-person workshops that cover waste acceptance, operational guidance, compliance recognition, among many other Permitted Beneficial Reuse (PBR) operation commonalities. Open to operators, local officials, and all others involved in the management and handling of solid waste. All workshops take place from 10am to 3pm, local time. The following is a list of workshops which are free to attend (registration is required):

Bismarck Workshop - July 17, 2025


Kick off the summer workshop series at North Dakota’s state capital. Meet NDDEQ staff and get educated on the best practices in solid waste operations.

Link to Register for Workshop: Bismarck Ticket

Location: NDDEQ Office – Normandy Building, 4201 Normandy St., Bismarck, ND

Dickinson Workshop – August 5, 2025


West-central North Dakota attendees are encouraged to attend this regional session. Tailored to the western part of the state, opportunities to ask questions and share experiences with other solid waste attendees.

Link to Register for Workshop: Dickinson Ticket

Location: Dickinson Public Works Building, 3411 Public Works Blvd., Dickinson, ND

Stanley Workshop- August 6, 2025


Join us in Stanley for guidance and networking in the solid waste field, ideal for small town operators and municipal management of solid waste under the PBR guidelines in North Dakota.

Link to Register for Workshop: Stanley Ticket

Location: Stanley City Hall, 221 S. Main St., Stanley, ND

St. Michael (Spirit Lake Casino & Resort) Workshop – August 7, 2025


This workshop offers practical guidance on waste acceptance, operations, and PBR compliance. Attendees will gain valuable insights into managing solid waste facilities efficiently and within regulatory guidelines. Ideal for public works staff, facility operators, and contractors in the region.

Link to Register for Workshop: St. Michael Ticket

Location: Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, 7889 ND-57, St. Michael, ND

Lisbon Workshop – August 20, 2025


Our final summer workshop brings the opportunity to southeast North Dakota. A convenient stop for all operators and officials that reside in that region.

Link to Register for Workshop: Lisbon Ticket

Location: BankNorth Basement Conference Room, 1002 Main St., Lisbon, ND

Solid Waste Education And Training
The Solid Waste Education And Training (SWEAT) program works with educators and education activities in North Dakota to inform the children and citizens of North Dakota about proper waste management. SWEAT can provide a variety of assistance, from printed materials to conducting on-site presentations.

For more information, contact Diana Trussell.

North Dakota's Solid Waste Management Rules require that all municipal waste landfills, municipal waste incinerators, municipal solid waste ash landfills, and special waste landfills which accept primarily oilfield special waste or TENORM waste in North Dakota have a certified operator on-site at all times during facility operation. Also, all industrial waste landfills and special waste landfills which accept primarily coal ash combustion residuals in North Dakota are required to have at least one certified operator whose primary work location is at the facility operation. Subjects covered by this training include site selection, construction and development, waste acceptance, stormwater management, groundwater monitoring and recordkeeping. The course also includes practical exercises and a landfill field trip some years. Operators must be re-certified every three years.

Landfill Operator Training Course Announcement

Course 1

1st Course Agenda

Course 2

2nd Course Agenda

North Dakota's Solid Waste Management Rules require operators of solid waste landfills and incinerators to implement a program to detect and prevent the disposal of regulated hazardous wastes and other prohibited wastes. The course offers valuable information on the concepts and practices that are needed to properly perform inspections of incoming loads of waste and will demonstrate the importance of random load inspections by explaining the different classifications of wastes, the identification of wastes and the procedures for conducting random inspections.