Circular Economy: The Big Idea

Learn about almost everything there is to know about the circular economy

Our current linear economy consumes finite resources, turns them into products, and creates a never-ending stream of waste. Through the clever design of products, systems, and policies, we can instead create a circular approach that benefits businesses, people, and the planet.

On this three-week course, you’ll develop your understanding of how and where the circular economy came from. You’ll start by examining the limitations of the linear economy and why we can’t just simply modify it to fix its problems.

You’ll learn key terminology, concepts, and the three principles of the circular economy to ensure you’re able to apply the thinking to your own work or studies.

Unpack the systems diagram and really get to grips with the concept

To help you develop the mindset required to apply a circular economy, you’ll learn how to use a systems diagram to manage material flows and their inherent value. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to design for a circular economy.

By exploring case studies to see the circular economy in action, you’ll discover how successful circular business models operate.

Explore policy development for a circular economy

Next, you’ll delve into policy development to understand the importance and power of policy to achieve circularity.

You’ll discover how policies are designed and gain an understanding of what policies are currently in place to help accelerate the transition to the circular economy.

Learn from the experts at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the specialists at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

With their expertise and using economic examples, you’ll finish the course with the knowledge and skills to apply circular economy concepts to your own work or studies.

This course is designed for anyone interested in the circular economy and its application.

• Understanding the circular economy
• Introduction
• Three products
• What is the linear economy?
• An emerging mindset
• The circular economy
• End of week one wrap up
• Designing for a circular economy
• Recapping week one
• The butterfly diagram
• Designing for a circular economy
• Case study: the washing machine
• From consumer to user
• A close look at the biological cycle
• End of week two wrap up
• Making the shift
• An introduction to week three
• Push and pull factors
• Rules of the game
• Policy and the circular economy
• Communicating the circular economy
• Take a stance
• A summary sandwich
• End of the course wrap up