The circular economy as a key component of sustainable development teaching

The circular economy is a systems-based concept in which production is designed to be restorative and regenerative, while waste is designed out of the system. Circular economy is thus featured as a reaction to the conventional... [ view full abstract ]

The circular economy is a systems-based concept in which production is designed to be restorative and regenerative, while waste is designed out of the system. Circular economy is thus featured as a reaction to the conventional dispensation of the linear ‘make-use-dispose’ economy, and as a framework for the development and management of a sustainable, 'waste-as-resource' economic system. The value of the circular economy to sustainable development is therefore paramount. However, although the circular economy is gaining interest around the world, there is still a lack of teaching in this area. Due to the value of the circular economy to sustainable development, this paper argues on the importance of circular economy teaching as part of sustainability-based degrees.

The paper presents findings related to an innovative new course on the circular economy (launched at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland in January 2017 and offered across the University) which has become a compulsory element of one of the oldest sustainability MSc degrees in the UK (the MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Studies that has run since 1992). This new circular economy course will be compared to other courses currently available worldwide and their explicit links to sustainability are evaluated. A review is also included of papers on higher education for sustainable development and any links to circular economy evaluated.

Results of a survey of the 50 participants on the new circular economy course at the University of Strathclyde, from 16 different programmes across the Engineering and Business Faculties, are presented. The circular economy is a key component in sustainable development, and has huge implications for research, policy and industrial practice, and therefore it is fundamental that the teaching of sustainable development includes the leading issues in circular economy.