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Course Status: Not Currently Scheduled
The next offering of this course will be held in September 2023. Please join our email list to be notified when registration opens!
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Course Details
Course Name: NJ Compost Operator Certification Course
Course Code: ER0303YB23
Date of Most Recent Offering: March 30 & 31, 2023
Course Overview
N.J.A.C. 7:26A – 1.4(a)(14)(xiv) states that all operators of composting facilities in New Jersey must “attend a composting course…..approved by the Department.” The NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education, in conjunction with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and in cooperation with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, has developed this course which meets the requirements of the regulations and will help you to improve your facility’s operation.
NOTE: This course will be held in a hybrid format. Day 1 will be an online class session running from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm (with a lunch break); Day 2 will be an in-person visit to the Hamilton Township (Mercer County) compost facility that will begin at 9:30 am and run until approximately 11:30 am. You must attend both days of the class in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.
Featured Topics
- NJDEP Regulatory Requirements
- The Scientific Principles of Composting, or “Why Compost Happens”
- How to Avoid the “Murphy’s Law” of Composting and What to Do When the Law Strikes (Health and Odor Issues)
Who Should Attend?
If you are looking to become a certified operator of an NJ composting facility, this class is for you. It is also a great opportunity to earn recertification credits toward your NJ CRP, NJ CPWM, NJ PE, or NJ HO/REHS license. Past participants have included:
- Compost Site Managers
- Clean Communities Coordinators
- Environmental Health Specialists
- Environmental Scientists
- Farm Managers
- Project Engineers
- Public Health Professionals
- Public Works Professionals
- Recycling Coordinators
- Recycling Facility Managers
Meet Your Instructor
Wayne DeFeo, DeFeo Associates

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 over 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.”
Student Reviews
“The regulatory section was very helpful. I feel I have a firm grip on all of the aspects from permitting to violations now.”
– Past Participant
“[After taking this course, I now] know what the DEP is looking for on inspection [and] how to take corrective action.”
– Past Participant
“The instructor was knowledgeable about the material and was able to provide good tips for inspections.”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
The most recent offering of the NJ Compost Operator Certification Course was approved for 0.8 Rutgers CEUs and 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.
New Jersey
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 4 Management, 4 Government
NJ Certified Recycling Professionals (CRP): 8 Classroom Recertification Credits
NJ Health Officers and Registered Environmental Health Specialists (HO/REHS): Rutgers University, NJAES, Office of Continuing Professional Education has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). Participants who complete this course will be awarded 5.0 CEs.
NJ Professional Engineers (PE): 8 Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) Credits
Meals
No meals will be provided at this course.
Attention U.S. Veterans

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about the NJ Compost Operator Certification Course, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Assistant Director: Carol Broccoli
848-932-7207
carolbr@njaes.rutgers.edu

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.