Plastics Recycling and Sustainability

Module 1 - Current State of Plastics Waste and Recycling

Module 2 - Challenges Intrinsic to Recycling

Module 3 - Mechanical Recycling

Module 4 - Chemical Recycling

Module 5 - Pyrolysis

Module 6 - Upcycling vs. Downcycling

Module 7 - Plastics from Sustainable Sources

Module 8 - Biodegradable Plastics

This course is available online anytime. Students work through online course modules on their own time and at their own pace. Once enrolled, you must complete the course within 8 weeks of enrollment.

Access to the Canvas course platform ends after 8 weeks.

An asynchronous, self-paced online course on plastics recycling.

• Instructors

  Nicole Zacharia

  academic director

  Dr. Zacharia has a background in materials science, with both a bachelor's degree and a PhD in the subject from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her student days were followed by postdoctoral studies at the University of Toronto, time as an assistant professor in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University, and most recently before joining UW-Madison, time at the University of Akron as an assistant then associate professor of Polymer Engineering.
  
  In addition to teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, Dr. Zacharia's interests have included research in polyelectrolyte coacervation as well as novel types of surfaces with special wettability, working on various federally and privately funded research projects. She has published over 40 papers in various international materials and chemistry journals. She has been an actively member of the American Chemical Society, including serving on the executive editorial board for one of its journals.

  Doug Barton

  Director of E-Business Consortium

  Jenny Patzlaff

  Supply Chain Management Practice Director

  Jenny is an experienced cross-functional team leader and 20+ year supply chain veteran. She has a passion for data transparency, solving supply chain problems, and promoting a team culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Jenny spent seventeen years at Target Corporation in various supply chain roles including Inventory Management, International and Domestic Logistics, Global Trade Compliance, Data Product Management, and Supply Chain Program Management. She then moved back to Wisconsin as Director of Strategic Initiatives for RateLinx, a logistics software development company where she helped customers reduce freight costs and improve Ship, Track and Pay data visibility. Jenny graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is also a Licensed Customs Broker.

• Program Director

  Nicole Zacharia

Fee covers course materials and online instruction.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Once you have accessed the online course materials, no cancellations or refunds are permitted.