Circular Economy

Versie van 21 sep 2018 om 11:28

The world is heading towards a new economy. Value creation, closed-loops systems and social innovation are important ingredients in that new economy.

Contrary to our current economy, based on a "take, make and dispose” extractive industrial model, the circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. Relying on system-wide innovation, it aims to redefine products and services to design waste out, while minimising negative impacts. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural and social capital. The principles of the circular economy are first described in the book Cradle to Cradle written by chemist Michael Braungart and architect William McDonough. The circular economy builds on this knowledge and focusses more on closing the loops in a viable new business model. In this minor you will obtain both theoretical knowledge of the circular economy concept and learn to apply it in practice.

In this research theme we will work on research assignments from companies and/or governmental institutes, which are tackled by inter-disciplinary project teams. Economics students work closely together with chemistry students, biologists, engineers, logistics students, or students from a social domain. You will develop a new business model or a transition strategy. Radical innovations are invented, and new products or product-service systems are designed.

The research projects are accompanied with courses, excursions and guest lectures of transition experts, (social) entrepreneurs, eco-designers, policy makers, etc. Students will not only develop circular economy skills in their own domain, but by co-creation you will become aware of the integral approach of transition towards a new economy.

Would you like to work with us in a minor?

In the minor Becoming Fit for the Future (30 ECTS, or download the brochure) you learn how to set up, carry out and defend practically-orientated research. See also the brief description of the content above. Internally (to HZ University of Applied Sciences), no conditions apply other than that the minor must be successfully completed. Externally, other conditions might apply - ask your own institution about this. For participation in this minor, the conditions set down in the implementation regulations of your Bachelor’s programme apply. Research projects aimed at a circular economy greatly benefit from knowledge from different disciplines. Therefore, this research theme offers many opportunities for students to obtain learning goals, additional to the general learning goals, as defined in the brochure Becoming Fit for the Future. That means that if a student still needs to acquire certain learning goals (technical design, process design, data science, marketing, communication, finance, logistics, ecological, etc), this is often possible. An example is given below of how this works out in a practical research assignment.

How can additional learning goals be obtained whilst working on a certain assignment?

One example of a research project is the project "Light on Demand". The assignment is to work out a circular lighting concept for the company Oiltanking, a terminal located in the Westerscheldt, next to a Nature protected area (Natura 2000). For safety reasons, lights are on day and night on the terminal and the jetties. This creates a lot of light pollution for the seals and other animals, as well as human beings. Also, lamps break down often due to the influence of salt water. The rapid developments in smart lighting should make it possible to design a lighting system, which creates less light pollution and is circular in design; that means for example that when a lamp breaks down, the armature and pole should not be replaced but only the lamp itself. And why should the company own the lamps, whereas they only want the service of light?

• Learning goals in terms of product and process design can be obtained by learning how different lamps, You are acquainted with the Circular Economy model of the Ellen Mc Arthur foundation. You apply systems thinking in Circular Economy concepts.

• You are able to understand the consequences and the value of the different cascade levels within the Ellen Mc Arthur model.

• You are able to make a context map of the existing situation in social, economic and technological terms (EMM)

• You are able to design a CE business model in co-creation with students and experts of other disciplines.

• You are able to identify the right stakeholders.

• You are able to evaluate the value of a circular business model in economic, technological, social and ecological terms.

A MOOC about Circular Economy is a mandatory aspect of this minor, students that lack a background in sustainability are obliged to follow the theory classes of the 4th year International Business course "Sustainable Practice" and take the exam of that course.

Contact

For more information about Circular Economy get in touch with Ingrid de Vries (lecturer, researcher and project coaching).

Projects