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Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management

Approx. 19 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn about the circular economy and how it can help solve global environmental challenges. This course covers the principles, practices, and policies of circular economy and provides examples of companies that have successfully implemented circular business models.

Key Learning Points

Understand the principles and concept of circular economy.
Learn about circular business models and their benefits.
Explore the role of policy in promoting circular economy.
Gain insights on successful circular economy case studies.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the principles of circular economy and its potential to solve environmental challenges
Gain knowledge on circular business models and their benefits
Explore the role of policy in promoting circular economy

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of environmental issues
Familiarity with business concepts

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Sustainable Business Strategy
Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Founder, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Architect and Designer

Related Books

Description

This course looks at where important materials in products we use every day come from and how these materials can be used more efficiently, longer, and in closed loops. This is the aim of the Circular Economy, but it doesn’t happen on its own. It is the result of choices and strategies by suppliers, designers, businesses, policymakers and all of us as consumers.

In addition to providing many cases of managing materials for sustainability, the course also teaches skills and tools for analyzing circular business models and promotes development of your own ideas to become more involved in the transition to a Circular Economy. You will learn from expert researchers and practitioners from around Europe as they explain core elements and challenges in the transition to a circular economy over the course of 5 modules: Module 1: Materials. This module explores where materials come from, and builds a rationale for why society needs more circularity. Module 2: Circular Business Models. In this module circular business models are explored in-depth and a range of ways for business to create economic and social value are discussed. Module 3: Circular Design, Innovation and Assessment. This module presents topics like functional materials and eco-design as well as methods to assess environmental impacts. Module 4: Policies and Networks. This module explores the role of governments and networks and how policies and sharing best practices can enable the circular economy. Module 5: Circular Societies. This module examines new norms, forms of engagement, social systems, and institutions, needed by the circular economy and how we, as individuals, can help society become more circular. This course is brought to you by: LUND UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS (IIIEE) EIT RAWMATERIALS VITO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF DENMARK AND GREENLAND NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS GHENT UNIVERSITY DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Outline

Introduction - Materials
Introduction to the Circular Economy - Part I
Introduction to the Circular Economy - Part II
Introduction to the Circular Economy - Part III
Introduction to the Circular Economy - Part IV
What is Mining? - Part I
What is Mining? - Part II
What is Mining? - Part III
Sustainable Mining - Part I
Sustainable Mining - Part II
Sustainable Mining - Part III
From Mining to Metal - Part I
From Mining to Metal - Part II
From Mining to Metal Part - III
Value and Governance - Part I
Value and Governance - Part II
Criticality
How Do We Transition to Circular Economy? - Part I
How Do We Transition to Circular Economy? - Part II
Follow Your Phone - Part I
Euromines - Pursuing Responsible Mining to Support Global Development
Aluminium - From Mine to Metal - Mining
Aluminium - From Mine to Metal - Alumina Production
Aluminium - From Mine to Metal - Smelting
Aluminium - From Mine to Metal - Casting
Aluminium - From Mine to Metal - Handling the Residue
Welcome to the Course - Start Here!
Grading
Course Assignment - Circular Business Model Analysis
Course Readings
Historical Aspects of Mining
Exploration and Extraction
The Footprint of Mining
Sustainable Mining - Part I
Sustainable Mining - Part II - Progress Towards Sustainable Mining Practice
Environmental Constraints
Managing a Mine-site From Before Mining Until After Mining
From Ore to Metal
How is Aluminium Made?
Global Value Chains
Research on Value and Governance (Extension)
Criticality
Linear to Circular Product Chains
Increasing Circularity
Elements in a Smartphone
Module 1

Circular Business Models
The Role of Business in the Circular Economy - Part I
The Role of Business in the Circular Economy - Part II
Circular Economy Business Model Strategies - Part I
Circular Economy Business Model Strategies - Part II
Business Model Innovation - Part I
Business Model Innovation - Part II
Drivers for Entrepreneurship in a Circular Economy
Barriers for Businesses in a Circular Economy
Follow Your Phone - Part II
ING Bank - Finance and Accounting in a Circular Economy
ING Bank - Business Opportunities for a Circular Economy
Accus - Entrepreneur Spotlight
NNOF - Entrepreneur Spotlight
Skillbuilder - Introduction
Skillbuilder - Analysis and Application of Analytical Tools
Slowing, Closing, Narrowing
Circular Business Models
Circular Strategies and the Business Model Canvas
The Importance of a Circular Value Network - An Example
The Role of Products-as-a-Service in the Circular Economy
Circular Business Model Planning Tool
The PESTEL Framework
Drivers and Barriers for Businesses in a Circular Economy
Overall Assignment Description
Circular Business Model Planning Tool - A Guide
Case Company Description
Copy of Overall Assignment Description
Week 2

Circular Design, Innovation and Assessment
Material Science Innovations
Ecodesign Strategies
Nanotech Developments - Part I
Nanotech Developments - Part II
Nanotech Developments - Part III
Assessing the Environmental Sustainability of Circular Systems: Tools and Methods - Part I
Assessing the Environmental Sustainability of Circular Systems: Tools and Methods - Part II
Assessing the Resource Efficiency of Circular Systems - Part I
Assessing the Resource Efficiency of Circular Systems - Part II
Assessing the Resource Efficiency of Circular Systems - Part III
Follow Your Phone - Part III
Umicore- Innovations in Recovery of Metals
Swerea IVF - Innovations for Extending the Useful Life of Textiles
Ragn-Sells - From Waste to Resources
Skillbuilder - Critical Thinking and Assessment
Introduction to Nanotechnology
The Scale of Nano
Mimicking Nano in Nature
What is LCA?
Limitations to LCA
LCA Challenges: Recycling and Multi-functionality (Extension)
Resource Efficiency Indicators at the Macro Level: The European Union
Methods Available to Quantify Resources (Extension)
KeepCup - designing for circularity and assessing benefits
Week 3

Policies and Networks
Past Policy Solutions
From Waste to Materials
Overview of Policies for a Circular Economy - Part I
Overview of Policies for a Circular Economy - Part II
Overview of Policies for a Circular Economy - Part III
Extended Producer Responsibility - Part I
Extended Producer Responsibility - Part II
Extended Producer Responsibility - Part III
Policies for Extended Product Lifetimes
EU Ecodesign Directive
Policies and Outlook in The Netherlands
Importance of Networks for Sharing Information
Follow Your Phone - Part IV
OVAM - Policy and the Circular Economy in Flanders
Skillbuilder - Context Analysis and Idea Development
From Waste to Materials - Summary
EU and Circular Economy
Policy Instruments to Improve Product Circularity
EPR for Mobile Phones (Extension)
Overview of Policies for Ecodesign and Circular Economy
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ecodesign Policy Strategies
Other Examples of Initiatives to Stimulate Circular Economy via Information Sharing and Networking (Extension)
Week 4

Circular Societies
Circularity's Value to Society - Part I
Circularity's Value to Society - Part II
Circularity's Value to Society - Part III
Environmental Impacts of Consumption - Part I
Environmental Impacts of Consumption - Part II
The Global View - Part I
The Global View - Part II
The Global View - Part III
The Global View - Part IV
Who Owns It? - Part I
Who Owns It? - Part II
The Local View - Part I
The Local View - Part II
The Local View - Part III
Follow Your Phone - Part V
Electronicsmix - Entrepreneur Spotlight, Local Repair
Fablabs - Creating Sustainable Communities
Skillbuilder - Pitching Innovative Ideas
Circularity Value - Summarising Key Points
Our Environmental Footprint
Sustainable Consumption in a Circular Economy
Example of How Sharing Contributes to a Circular Society
Example of How Repairing Contributes to a Circular Society
Week 5

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the principles of circular economy and learn how to implement them in your business. This course has received high praise from users and is highly recommended for anyone interested in sustainability and business innovation.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Many users appreciated the practical examples and case studies provided in the course, which allowed them to apply the principles of circular economy to real-world scenarios.

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative course content
High-quality production value of videos
Practical examples and case studies provided
Instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the subject

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too introductory and basic
A few technical issues reported with the platform
Lack of interaction and feedback from instructors

languageEnglish

start dateAvailable now

durationApprox. 19 hours to complete

teacherPhilip Peck, Jessika Luth Richter, Karl Vrancken, Saskia Manshoven, Jeroen Gillabel, Erika Faigen, Konstantinos Modis, Sophie Sfez, Julia Nußholz, Katherine Whalen, David Peck, Dr. Yuliya Voytenko Palgan

institutionLund University, EIT RawMaterials, VITO, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, National Technical University of Athens, Ghent University, Delft University of Technology

course taken onCoursera

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