Fundamentals
Circular Economy
From linear take-make-waste to regenerative systems
About this course
Why this course exists
A comprehensive course on circular economy principles, business models, material flow analysis, waste hierarchy, extended producer responsibility, and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Covers design strategies, sector applications, and metrics for circularity.
What you will learn
After this course you will be able to
- Apply the Ellen MacArthur Foundation circular economy principles to a product or business model
- Distinguish reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling on cost and impact
- Design a product or service for disassembly and material recovery
- Connect circular economy decisions to the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and CSRD reporting
Course content
6 modules · 24 lessons
Walk through the modules in order or jump to a specific lesson. Each lesson is a real chapter you can open and start reading immediately.
Module 1·4 lessons
Foundations of the Circular Economy
Why Linear Is Broken
- 0.15 min read
The Linear Economy Problem
UNEP/Circle Economy, Circularity Gap Report (2024), Chapter 1
- 0.25 min read
What Is a Circular Economy?
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Towards a Circular Economy (2013), Chapter 1
- 0.36 min read
History and Intellectual Roots
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture (2019), Introduction
- 0.45 min read
The Business Case for Circularity
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture (2019), Chapter 2
Module 2·4 lessons
Core Principles and Strategies
Designing Out Waste
- 1.16 min read
The Three Principles: Eliminate, Circulate, Regenerate
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Towards a Circular Economy (2013), Chapter 2
- 1.25 min read
The Waste Hierarchy and R-Strategies
EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), Articles 4-6
- 1.36 min read
Design for Circularity
ESPR Regulation (2024), Recitals and Articles 5-7
- 1.45 min read
Material Flow Analysis (MFA)
UNEP/Circle Economy, Circularity Gap Report (2024), Methodology Annex
Module 3·4 lessons
Circular Business Models
Value Creation Without Waste
- 2.15 min read
Product-as-a-Service and Access Models
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture (2019), Chapter 3
- 2.26 min read
Product Life Extension
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture (2019), Chapter 3
- 2.36 min read
Resource Recovery and Industrial Symbiosis
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Towards a Circular Economy (2013), Chapter 3
- 2.47 min read
Digital Enablers of Circularity
ESPR Regulation (2024), Article 9 - Digital Product Passport
Module 4·4 lessons
Sector Applications
Circularity Across Industries
- 3.15 min read
Plastics and Packaging
EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Section 3.2 - Plastics
- 3.25 min read
Textiles and Fashion
EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Section 3.4 - Textiles
- 3.35 min read
Construction and Buildings
EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Section 3.5 - Construction
- 3.45 min read
Electronics and Critical Raw Materials
EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Section 3.3 - Electronics
Module 5·4 lessons
Policy and Regulation
The Regulatory Push for Circularity
- 4.15 min read
EU Circular Economy Action Plan
EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Full Text
- 4.25 min read
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), Articles 8-8a
- 4.35 min read
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
ESPR Regulation (2024), Full Text
- 4.45 min read
Global Circular Economy Policies
UNEP/Circle Economy, Circularity Gap Report (2024), Policy Chapter
Module 6·4 lessons
Measuring Circularity
Metrics, Reporting, and Finance
- 5.15 min read
Circularity Metrics and Indicators
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture (2019), Appendix - MCI
- 5.25 min read
Life Cycle Assessment for Circularity
UNEP/Circle Economy, Circularity Gap Report (2024), Methodology Annex
- 5.35 min read
Circular Economy and ESG Reporting
EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Section 5 - Monitoring
- 5.45 min read
Financing the Circular Transition
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture (2019), Chapter 4