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Education Programs

Plastics Circular Economy Micro-Credential Program

Effective plastic recycling and circularity require precise material identification and characterization. This course covers key plastic types, additives, and waste classification techniques using spectroscopy, AI, and machine learning. Learn industry-standard methods for sorting and analyzing plastic waste, including marine plastics and microplastics, with hands-on demonstrations of real-world applications.

Overview

Duration

Each badge takes 15 hours over 6 weeks to complete - 5 badges in total.*

*Badge 1 is Mandatory.

Format

Hybrid

Price

Individual Badge: $1,500.00 

*3-Badges: $3,600.00 (Silver Belt)
*4-Badges: $4,400.00 (Gold Belt)
*5-Badges: $5,000.00 (Platinum Belt)

Groups of 5 from a single company are eligible for discount. 

Deadline

Apply/Enroll by August 18, 2025

How to Enroll

Why this Credential?

The circular plastics economy requires skilled workforce who understand details of plastics components, production and processing, classifications, and how to identify and quantify waste plastic compositions. This course will briefly introduce a systems level approach to plastic circularity, including interconnected systems of supply chain and resource flows, government, policy, regulatory frameworks, marketplace, infrastructure, and user practices. It will also discuss the major plastic types and their properties, how they are produced and handled, the major industry producers and their geographical locations, and plastic formulations and roles of additives. 

The majority of this course will focus on characterization techniques required for identification of plastic compositions, additives, contaminants, such as infrared, near-infrared, ultra-violet, Raman, laser-induced breakdown, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies; hyperspectral imaging; mass spectrometry; and density, and evolving standards for waste identification. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in plastic sortation will also be discussed through case studies. We will also include collection (and tracking), identification, and characterization of marine plastics and microplastics. This course will include hands-on demonstrations of characterization techniques, such as chemical spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is appropriate for:

  • Scientists/engineers/technicians from the chemical, materials, and waste management industries who wish to increase their knowledge of the plastics circular economy
  • Have a B.S. degree in science/engineering/technology (or higher).

Curriculum

Badge 1: Introduction to Plastics Circular Economy

Learning Objectives: To understand basic principles of current plastic recycling processes; the circular economy and how this differs from a linear economy; how waste is currently processed by materials recovery facilities; current uses of recycled plastics; impacts of plastic waste (water, soil); how the current policy and regulatory framework impacts recycling efficacy; and basic ideas on life cycle and technoeconomic analyses as applied to plastics and recycling.

Learning Sessions Include:

  • Introduction to Plastic Recycling
  • Definition/Models Circular Economy
  • Waste Classification, Handling
  • Supply Chain and Safety
  • Environmental Impacts, Microplastics
  • Public Policy Framework
  • Regulatory Framework
  • Community Outreach
  • Intro to LCA/TEA

 

Badge 2: Polymer Taxonomy and Recovered Material Identification

Learning Objectives: To understand how polymers are classified and produced (and connection to their intended use), and how they can be identified in sorting and separation processes used in materials recovery and recycling facilities.

Learning Sessions Include:

  • Polymer Taxonomy
  • Overview of Separations and Sorting Process
  • Chemical Spectroscopy for Sortation
  • Identification of Plastics Waste through Imaging
  • AI/ML Methods for enhancing Sortation
  • Identification and Characterization of Marine and Microplastics
  • Identification and Characterization of Plastics in Soil
  • Hands-on Demonstration of Plastic Identification

 

Badge 3: Measurements and Characterization Tools for Circular Plastics

Learning Objectives: To understand different types and forms of plastics and how this governs their usage.  To understand essential physical properties of plastics (e.g., thermal, mechanical, rheological, structure/morphology) and how these properties enable their use and impact their recycling efficacy. To understand characterization tools used for exploring these properties.

Learning Sessions Include:

  • Types and Uses of Plastics
  • Polymer Processing
  • Morphology and Structure-Property Features
  • Rheology and Flow and Impact on Structure/Processing
  • Thermal and Mechanical Properties and Impact on Use
  • Films (including multi-layer)
  • Advanced Characterization Tools
  • Hands-on Demonstration of Characterization Tools

 

Badge 4: New Frontier of Polymer Recycling and Reuse

Learning Objectives: To understand the next frontier of recycling and methods that go beyond traditional mechanical recycling practices.

Learning Sessions Include:

  • Enhanced Mechanical Recycling
  • Chemical Recycling
  • Pyrolysis/Gasification
  • Physical Recycling
  • Upcycling
  • Compostable Plastics
  • Design for Reuse

 

Badge 5: Valuation, Life Cycle Analysis, and Technoeconomic Analysis

Learning Objectives: To understand valuation principles and business models that govern the use of waste plastics in products, and to understand life cycle and technoeconomic assessments that govern the environmental impact of plastics and their recycling processes. 

Learning Sessions Include:

  • Systems Level Analyses
  • Valuation of Waste Plastics
  • Business Models and Case Studies for Plastic Circularity
  • Environment, Social, and Governance
  • Life Cycle Analysis
  • Technoeconomic Analysis
  • LCA/TEA Case Studies

 

Schedule

Badge 1 Cohort 1 will officially start on August 25, 2025. Two 1-2 hours live meetings every week over six weeks, all starting at 6 p.m. (CST). The wrap-up session is scheduled on October 1, 2025. 
Badge 1 Cohort 2 will start in late January, 2026. 

Badge 2: October - December, 2025. 
Badge 3: January - March, 2026
Badge 4: March - May, 2026
Badge 5: June - August, 2026

What You Will Earn

Instruction for each badge consists of 15-hour online learning sessions with lectures and group discussions. Micro-credential badges are awarded for every module, five in total, for the Workforce Training Program in Circular Plastics. The earned badges are a permanent addition to your skillset and resume. After successfully completing the program, you can incorporate micro-credential badges from 色花堂 into your LinkedIn profile and resume.

 

Instructors

Megan Robertson, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemical Engineering, 色花堂

Debalina Sengupta, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Transition Institute, 色花堂

Joe Powell, Ph.D.
Aspire Shell Endowed Chair and Executive Director for Energy Transition Institute, Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 色花堂

Anil Bhowmick, Ph.D.
Research Professor, Rubber Science and Technology, 色花堂

Gail Buttorff, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs, Associate Director, Center for Public Policy, 色花堂

Sribala Gorugantu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, 色花堂

Tracy Hester, J.D.
Instructional Professor of Law, Co-Director, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Law Center, Founding Co-Director, CCME, 色花堂

Alamgir Karim, Ph.D.
Dow Chair and Welch Foundation Professor, Director, International Polymer & Soft Matter Center, 色花堂

Meng Li, Ph.D.
Professor, Founding Director, Bauer Human-Centered AI Institute, 色花堂

Stacey Louie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 色花堂

Pablo Pinto, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs, Director, Center for Public Policy, 色花堂

Scott Trenor, Ph.D.
Technical Director, The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)

Mary Ellen Ternes, B.E (ChE), J.D.
Partner, Earth & Water Law, LLC

Jagos Radovic, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor, Director of Center for Petroleum Geochemistry (色花堂-CPG), 色花堂

Scott Coye-Huhn
Vice President, Energy, Biomaterials & Circularity, SCS Global Services

Justin Bower
Director, Community & Environmental Planning, Houston-Galveston Area Council



Jenny Oakley, Ph.D.
Senior Water Resources Scientist, Houston-Galveston Area Council

 

How to Enroll

Please fill out the . You will receive a payment link once your application is approved.

Contact 色花堂 Energy at uhenergy@uh.edu for group discounts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

You can register for the program by visiting the registration link and completing the application form. The registration link will be available once course enrollment opens.  
We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payments. If you require alternative payment options, please reach out to our business office. 
Courses are offered online, in-person, or hybrid formats, depending on the specific course, allowing students to engage with course materials through live lectures, pre-recorded modules, interactive discussions, or hands-on projects. 
Yes. Assessments are required to successfully complete the program and earn your micro-credential. Details on grading criteria and passing scores will be provided at the start of the course.  
Depending on the program structure, you may have access to recorded sessions or alternative assignments. Please review the attendance policy or contact your instructor for specific arrangements. 
Refunds are not available if you withdraw from the course.