Sustainable Waste Management (0746)

Last Updated: 10 Jun 2020
This qualification provides the skills and knowledge required to assess occupational competence in various areas of the waste management industry, including waste collection, weighbridge and site operatives and supervisory roles. The qualification demonstrates the competence of the learner to act in a safe, efficient manner appropriate to and in accordance with industry requirements. The qualification forms the competence component of the Sustainable Resource Management Apprenticeship.
Ideal for anyone working, or wishing to work, in sustainable waste management, from first jobber in waste collection to those in a supervisory role.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You can choose the qualification that demonstrates the specialist knowledge and skills you have developed such as:

  • controlling the movement, sorting and storage of inert waste
  • ensuring the protection of the environment in waste collection
  • supervising others working in the waste management industry.

You will learn on the job in the work environment.

Assessment will also take place in the workplace and will include a portfolio of evidence to meet the criteria of the qualification.

Which level is right for me?

Level 2
You are working, or hoping to work, in sustainable waste management and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised. You may be completing a Sustainable Resource Management Apprenticeship.

Level 3
You have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge gained from working in waste management. You are working, or hoping to work, in a supervisory role, and have a good record of safety, fault correction and ensuring work meets the required standard.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of roles in the waste management industry including:

  • Waste Collection Driver
  • Waste Collection Operative
  • Team Leader
  • Waste Site Operative
  • Weighbridge Operative
  • Waste Supervisor.

Learners might also be interested in taking the following related qualification:

  • City & Guilds Diplomas in Sustainable Recycling Activities (0748).
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need qualified assessors - you can train internal members of staff or recruit specially.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

Centres currently offering the City & Guilds NVQ in Waste Management Operations (0735) or the City & Guilds NVQ in Waste Management (Non-Statutory) (0736) can gain automatic approval for these qualifications. For all other centres, please download and complete the qualification approval form and send it to your local City & Guilds office.

To find all the requirements for assessment and delivery, download the qualification handbook.

Anyone can take this qualification, but you must make sure all your learners can access the resources they need to complete it.

Level 2

Level 2 is ideal if you are working, or hoping to work, in sustainable waste management and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised. You may be completing a Sustainable Resource Management Apprenticeship.

There are six qualifications available at Level 2:

  • Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative
  • Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Waste Collection Driver)
  • Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Waste Collection)
  • Level 2 Diploma for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Team Leader)
  • Level 2 Diploma for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Waste Site Operative)
  • Level 2 Diploma for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Weighbridge Operative).

To earn a certificate or diploma at Level 2, you must complete 33 credits from a wide range of mandatory and optional units, including:

  • controlling the movement, sorting and storage of inert waste
  • complying with emergency procedures
  • ensuring protection of the environment in waste collection

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of roles in the waste management industry including:

  • Waste Collection Driver
  • Waste Collection Operative
  • Team Leader
  • Waste Site Operative
  • Weighbridge Operative
  • Waste Supervisor.

Learners might also be interested in taking the following related qualification:

  • City & Guilds Diplomas in Sustainable Recycling Activities (0748).
Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (0746-20)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative

  • Accreditation No: 600/0646/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 33 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 229 - 253 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 330 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £142.10 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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> (4065) Health and Safety in the Workplace

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