Overview

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The Circular Economy is the first course in the Transformative Leadership in the Circular Economy specialization. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, applications, and measurement of the circular economy as a pathway to sustainable business practices. In this course you will explore how circular strategies differ from traditional linear models and examine real-world innovations in product design, material recovery, and closed-loop systems across industries. Through case studies, expert insights, and interactive content, the course investigates circular business models, industry-specific applications, and the economic, environmental, and social benefits of circularity. You will also engage with the challenges and barriers to implementation and evaluate key performance indicators and digital tools that support circular transitions. This course gives you the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable change and apply circular economy principles to your organization or beyond. This course was developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software and is part of the "Design for the Circular Economy" collection. Learners who complete and pass the course can receive an industry-recognized digital badge. The “Design for the Circular Economy” microcredential and graduate certificate are developed around the educational goals of providing technical, business, and leadership knowledge and skills that inspire the transformation towards a more circular economy. This includes gaining technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles in product design, minimizing waste and maximizing impact; developing business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models that prioritize sustainability and resilience; and acquiring leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization. This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Syllabus

Understanding the Circular Economy

Welcome to The Circular Economy course! This is the first course in the Transformative Leadership in the Circular Economy specialization. This first module provides a foundational understanding of the circular economy and its role in creating sustainable business practices. You will explore the key principles of circularity, how it differs from traditional linear economic models, and real-world examples of companies successfully implementing circular strategies. Throughout this module, you will gain practical knowledge of resource efficiency, product lifecycle management, material recovery, and circular business models.

Applications and Business Models in the Circular Economy

This module explores the fundamental principles and real-world applications of circular business models, emphasizing how organizations can transition from traditional linear approaches to more sustainable strategies. Learners will examine key concepts such as sharing platforms, resource loops, and circular material flows across industries. Through case studies interactive activities and expert insights, learners will gain a deeper understanding of circular innovations in packaging, textiles, electronics, and the built environment.

Benefits, Challenges and Barriers for the Circular Economy

In this module, you will explore the benefits of circularity, as well as the challenges and barriers that organizations face when trying to implement more circular practices. We’ll examine real-world examples and hear from industry experts about what’s working and what’s not. Through readings, videos, cases, and quizzes, you will gain a practical understanding of how to overcome barriers to circularity and drive sustainable change.

Measuring the Circular Economy

This module explores key metrics and digital tools that enable organizations to measure and advance circular economy strategies. Learners explore circular performance indicators, sustainability frameworks, and enabling technologies such as life-cycle assessment, digital twins, and collaborative data platforms. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications and actionable strategies used to promote more circular practices in product design and operations.