ENS5350 · Circular economy: Principles and solutions

Overview

We face increasing societal challenges arising from the triple planetary crisis - climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss and other global trends, such as rising global tensions. To counter these developments, there is an emerging consensus among scholars, policy makers, businesses, and civil society that we need to transition to more sustainable and resilient economic systems. A key leverage point for this transition is the concept of a circular economy. The circular economy is an economic system in which resource input, waste, emissions, and energy leakages are minimised by cycling, extending, intensifying, and dematerialising energy, material, and water loops. We can achieve this in different ways, including repairing, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling, but also by digitalising physical products, clever maintenance, or by designing long-lasting products. This unit introduces you to the circular economy, leveraging Monash University’s multi-disciplinary expertise and commitment to leadership in the circular economy. It integrates insights from sustainable development, systems thinking, management science, green technologies, behavioural science, industrial design, and social sciences. The unit offers a holistic view of the circular economy paradigm and potential solutions, providing guiding frameworks and practical tools. You will engage with real-world innovations, learn from industry practitioners and researchers, apply your learning through design thinking-based workshops, and reflect on what you learned on a local field trip to a circular venture.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the complex ecological, social, and economic challenges motivating a circular economy.
2. Compare and contrast key circular economy theories, methods, and tools from diverse disciplines and investigate their interconnectedness;
3. Critically assess circular economy solutions at the individual, community, and societal level; evaluating their applicability, limitations, trade-offs, and their potential to transform current linear systems;
4. Create and persuasively communicate a practical solution to a real-world Circular Economy challenge, applying key Circular Economy theories, methods, and tools.

Workload

• Three hours (or equivalent) of workshops and • Nine hours of independent (asynchronous) study per week plus • One 6-hour off campus field trip (in Week 4).

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.