The objective of the ISWA-Germany Study Tour is to explore the design, finance, and operation of sustainable decentralized recycling and waste management systems.
The tour is jointly organized by ISWA, ISWA Germany, and Rostock University for up to 25 waste management professionals. This event offers expert lectures, visits to three diverse waste management sites, interactive discussions, and knowledge sharing spanning 40 years of Germany’s successful recycling practices. Participants will learn to bridge theory with real‐world application, to establish and manage small to medium‐sized recycling and waste treatment centres efficiently.
Attending this special practice-focused study trip will help you gain a deep understanding of:
-
Frameworks of a sustainable solid waste management system under a circular economy including regulation and waste hierarchy.
-
Solid waste source separation including composting of source-separated biowaste.
-
Design, finance, and operate a material recovery/recycling facility.
-
Management of the residual materials including hazardous waste.
-
Landfill classification and design including leachate and gas collection systems.
THE PROGRAMME
Arrival day – Sunday, 14 September
Welcome to Rostock! This will be the arrival day for most and a welcome dinner will be planned.
Monday, 15 September
An introduction session of the Study Tour will be given in the morning on waste management in Germany/EU. Topics of the seminars given in the afternoon covers effective waste management practices within Municipal companies in Germany and the role of the private sector in the Circular Economy. The evening will be at own leisure.
Tuesday, 16 September
In the morning, we will have a site visit to a waste management company and have a tour of the vehicle fleet and collection system. The afternoon will be spent with a visit to a sorting plant for packaging waste and a compost plant. We will be organising an optional group dinner for those who are interested.
Wednesday, 17 September
On the third day, lectures covering the topics of biological treatment of waste (composting and biogas) and Waste to Energy (incineration and RDF) will be covered in the morning. The afternoon seminars are about landfill classification and design including leachate and gas collection systems. You have the evening to yourself or you can join the group for an optional cultural activity.
Thursday, 18 September
We start the day with a site visit to a large landfill and receive a presentation on operations, leachate and gas collection systems, and post-colure care. In the afternoon, we will travel to Hamburg and check-in to a new hotel. You’ll have the rest of the evening free to spend at own leisure.
Final day – Friday, 19 September
We continue our last day to a site visit in Hamburg to an incineration plant and learn about the operations and technology. We’ll receive a tour of a biogas plant in the afternoon and conclude the Study Tour with a closing dinner and review the gained knowledge to discuss the outlooks. Finally, we will say goodbye after our joint dinner.
Preliminary itinerary for the Study Tour (subject to change)
IMPRESSIONS FROM PREVIOUS STUDY TOURS
LOGISTICS
Dates: 15 – 19 September 2025
Venue: Rostock and Hamburg, Germany
Accommodation
The hotel in Rostock, Motel One, is located in the city center and about a 15-minute walk (1.1km) from the train station. The city harbor and Neuer Markt are about a 10-minute stroll away.
Kindly note that the allocation of rooms and related responsibilities lies with the Study Tour organisaters and depends on participant registrations. While participants are free to choose alternative accommodations, it’s important to clarify that opting for other lodging options does not result in a reduction of the participant price, and individuals are responsible for arranging their own transfers.
Arrival and departure dates
Recommended date of arrival: Sunday, 14 September 2025
Recommended date of departure: Saturday, 20 September 2025
STUDY TOUR LEADER
PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Abdallah Nassour
Associate Professor of Waste and Resource Management at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock
PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Abdallah Nassour is an Associate Professor of Waste and Resource Management at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock. Since 1999, he has specialized in transferring waste management expertise between Germany and the MENA region.
With extensive experience in international projects, his work spans strategic advisory, policy development, cost recovery, logistics, treatment technologies, recycling, and circular economy. He is also an expert in capacity building and training for diverse audiences, including decision-makers, municipalities, and private sector professionals.
Dr. Haniyeh Jalalipour
Dr. Haniyeh Jalalipour, a waste and resource management expert, earned her Ph.D. at the University of Rostock in Germany, focusing on sustainable organic waste management in developing countries. As a post-doc research assistant at Rostock University, she contributes to research on biowaste utilization, climate change, and life cycle assessment. Dr. Jalalipour actively supports the German national membership at the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and chairs the ISWA Working Group on Biological Treatment of Waste.
Prof. Dr. mont. Michael Nelles
The study tour is organized under the guidance of Prof. Nelles, who represents the National Membership of Germany at ISWA. He is an environmental engineer with more than 30 years of professional experience. Since 2006 he has been a full professor and head of the Department of Waste and Resource Management of the University of Rostock, Germany. Since 2012 Prof. Nelles is the Scientific Director of the German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ) in Leipzig.
His research activity is based on: fundamental and applied aspects of waste management with a focus on technological, environmental and economic aspects to mechanical, biological and thermal treatment systems of waste and biomass in different recycling and recovery routes. He is a member of national and international Advisory Boards of organisations in the field of waste management, renewable energy and biomass utilisation (DGAW, RETech, ISWA Germany, IWWG etc.) and also a board member of different national and international conferences and journals. He is the author of over 500 articles and chapters in books and journals since 1994. He has led more than 100 major R&D and consulting projects and more than 50 doctoral theses have been successfully completed under his supervision.
PRICING
Register for the ISWA study tour by selecting one of the ticket options at the bottom of this page.
Early bird registration will be available until 30 April 2025.
Overall registration will close 30 May 2025.
Included in the registration fee:
-
Accommodation with breakfast from 14 – 20 September 2025
-
5-day course participation
-
Course materials during all days
-
Refreshments, lunch and a welcome dinner on the first day
-
Transportation and visits to the waste treatment plants, including transportation to Hamburg on the 4th day.
-
Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and 21% VAT applies to the registration fees and is mentioned clearly when it is included.
The organizers do not assume liability during field demonstrations and technical visits. Travel health insurance is advisable.
The program may be subject to change and participants will be notified before the Study Tour takes place.
Scholarships for low/low-middle income economies
For low-/low-middle income economies, 3 tickets at 50% discount rate are available on a first come first serve basis. Please submit a short bio (not more than 300 words) and a one-page paragraph on why you would like to participate in the ISWA-Germany study tour and how it may help your career to Haniyeh Jalalipour haniyeh.jalalipour@uni-rostock.de.
Cancellation Policy
ISWA reserves the right to cancel the course if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
Minimum number of participants: 15
Registration may be transferred to a nominated representative. Any cancellation of registration must be submitted in
writing to ISWA by e-mail: events@iswa.org.
Cancellation and refund will be subject to the following conditions:
• Cancellation until 31 March 2025: 50% refund
• Cancellation until 1 May 2025: 10% refund
• Cancellation after 30 May 2025 or “no show”: No refund
In case of cancellation of the study tour due to unforeseeable events including pandemic regulations, ISWA will refund
the registration fee but no other costs incurred prior to cancellation. In case of cancellation of a registrant, the above
rules apply. Bank transfer costs will be deducted from any refund.
Early-bird PROMO
Enjoy 10% off the total registration fee when buying 5 registrations for the German Study Tour.
Contact us (events@iswa.org) as soon as possible to make use the Early-bird registration fee!
Early Bird - Non Member Registration
€2420
- Available until 30 April 2025.
Early Bird - ISWA Member Registration
€2000
- Available until 30 April 2025.
Regular Registration - Non Member
€2662
- Available until 30 May 2025.
Regular Registration - ISWA Member
€2420
- Available until 30 May 2025.
See you in Germany!
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
DIRECT REGISTRATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I receive a letter of invitation?
If you require a VISA to enter Germany we can provide you with a letter of invitation confirming your registration for the study tour. Please send an email to events@iswa.org to request a letter of invitation. Please note that we do not provide letters of invitation before a confirmed registration and we advise to check with the embassy in your country for how much time you need to apply, proceed and obtain your visa.
Will I receive a certificate of participation?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of participation at the end study tour.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. For low-/low-middle income economies, there are 3 registrations at a discount rate of 50% available (on a first come first serve basis). Please Submit a short bio (not more than 300 words) and a one-page paragraph on why you want to participate in the ISWA-Germany study tour and how it may help your career to Haniyeh Jalalipour haniyeh.jalalipour@uni-rostock.de.
How can I indicate my dietary requirements?
The registration form has the option to provide us with your dietary requirements, please indicate them there or send and email to events@iswa.org.
CONTACT US
Get in touch if you have any questions or comments.
Daphne de Leeuw
ISWA Event Manager
Contact Daphne de Leeuw for matters concerning registration.
Email: events@iswa.org
Phone number: +31 (0)10 808 3990
Haniyeh Jalalipour
Ph.D. at the University of Rostock in Germany
Contact Haniyeh Jalalipour for questions on the program, location & infrastructure.
Email: haniyeh.jalalipour@uni-rostock.de