2000320 - Introducing the Circular Economy
Course Description
A circular economy is regenerative by design, where all resources have value, and nothing is wasted. It employs a closed-loop system where resources are used efficiently and can be recirculated back into the beginning of production cycles and recreated into new products, ensuring materials retain their highest utility and value throughout their entire lifecycle. For businesses, participating in a circular economy can be an important strategic direction. For citizens, understanding production cycles and how resources and goods can be reused or transformed can help us to change our consumption and purchasing behaviours to act and live more sustainably. Learn how the circular economy works, what processes and models can be used, and come away with strategies and tools that can help you engage with circularity in life, work, and business.
This course was developed with Boundless Accelerator (formerly Innovation Guelph) as part of its collaboration with the Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) and was funded by Desjardins. The goal of this training is to build awareness around the circular economy to a wide range of audiences, including those who are new or have introductory knowledge of the circular economy, business owners looking to explore how circular economy practices could be integrated into their operations, and students and professionals with an interest in the environment and sustainability.
This course is offered in an online, self-directed format and consists of four (4) units that will take approximately ten (10) hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the final quiz, you will receive a digital badge.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Define the circular economy and its key principles and frameworks;
- Recall how circular economy solutions contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
- Identify and calculate waste and emission streams and consider how to create value from them;
- Recognize different circular business models, strategies, and designs;
- Recall circular approaches being implemented in Canada across various industries; and
- Use an action-oriented plan to apply the theories and tools of the circular economy to your current or future work, projects, and organizations.
Course Topics
- Perspectives on the Circular Economy
- Achieving the SDGs through Sustainable Operations
- Circular Business Models, Strategies, and Design
- Circularity in Action: Case Studies from Guelph-Wellington
Assessment
| Assessment Item | Weight | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Final Quiz* | 100% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Total | 100% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
*A minimum score of 75% on the final quiz is required to receive the Digital Badge.
Technical Requirements
You are responsible for ensuring that your computer system meets the necessary system requirements. Use the browser check tool to ensure your browser settings are compatible and up to date (results will be displayed in a new browser window).
*Course details are subject to change.