PATNAIK S., MILLER L. and VIGLIAROLO F. Circular Economy and Sustainable Value Creation through Eco-Innovation. Springer. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-88516-7. ISBN 978-3-031-88515-0 .
SUBIN A.J., CALHOUN J., RENTERIA O.B., MERCADO, P., NAKAJIMA, S. et al. 2024. Promoting a Circular Economy in Mining Practices. Online. Sustainability. 2024. vol. 16, no. 24, p. 11016. ISSN 2071-1050 . Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411016.
SILLANPÄÄ M. and CH. NCIBI. The Circular Economy - 1st Edition. Elsevier. 2019. E-Book. ISBN 978-0-12-815267-6 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2017-0-02916-6.
CHARTER, M., ed. Designing for the circular economy. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ISBN 978-1-138-08101-7 .
Circular Economy
| Language of instruction | angličtina, čeština |
|---|---|
| Code | 546-0131 |
| Abbreviation | CE |
| Course title | Circular Economy |
| Coordinating department | Department of Environmental Engineering |
| Course coordinator | prof. Ing. Vladimír Čablík, Ph.D. |
Summary
Course description
The course covers the fundamental principles of the circular economy, in particular the closing of material flows in long-term cycles while retaining the highest possible utility and material value, the use of energy from renewable sources, and the design of products and services with minimised adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Attention is paid to current trends in increasing the proportion of secondary raw materials and recycled materials returned to the Czech economy. The course examines the potential for using secondary raw materials as substitutes for primary non-renewable resources and their importance in ensuring long-term sustainable production and security of raw material supply.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Specialist knowledge
The student explains the principles of the circular economy, its key concepts and systemic interrelationships, and its environmental, resource-related, economic and societal benefits in comparison with the linear economic model.
The student characterises the European and national legal and strategic frameworks for the circular economy and waste management and explains their relationship to the management of material flows.
The student explains the principles of ecodesign and circular design, product life cycles, product life extension, reuse, repairability and recyclability.
The student describes the principles of sustainable production and the utilisation of primary, secondary and critical raw materials and explains their importance for security of raw material supply and industrial competitiveness.
The student characterises the waste hierarchy, selected technologies for recycling and other forms of material and energy recovery, and the specific features of circular resource management in construction, the energy sector and water management.
Specialist skills
The student analyses material and raw material flows within a product, process or system and identifies opportunities for waste prevention, preservation of material value and the closing of material cycles.
The student applies the principles of ecodesign and circular design when evaluating products and processes and proposes measures to extend product life, promote reuse and improve recyclability.
The student applies relevant legal and strategic requirements when addressing complex case studies in waste management and provides a reasoned justification for the appropriate method of waste management.
The student compares and evaluates the suitability of technologies for recycling and other forms of material and energy recovery, taking into account the properties of input materials, the quality of outputs, technological limitations and the waste hierarchy.
The student independently assesses opportunities for the utilisation of secondary raw materials and proposes and professionally justifies a circular solution for a product, process or value chain, taking into account the efficient use of material and water resources, environmental impacts, economic feasibility and innovation potential.
General competences
The student independently and responsibly addresses complex circular-economy problems in new or changing contexts and integrates technical, environmental, economic, legal and societal aspects into decision-making.
The student critically evaluates available information, data and alternative solutions, taking account of their uncertainties, limitations and wider implications, and provides a professional justification for the selected approach.
The student makes professionally and ethically responsible decisions that respect resource efficiency, waste prevention, environmental protection, the applicable legal framework and the principles of sustainable development.
The student communicates the results of analyses and proposed solutions clearly and persuasively, defends the selected solutions and collaborates effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
The student independently develops and updates their specialist knowledge, responds to developments in legislation, technologies and innovation, and applies circular-economy principles to new, complex and previously unresolved situations.
The course covers the fundamental principles of the circular economy, in particular the closing of material flows in long-term cycles while retaining the highest possible utility and material value, the use of energy from renewable sources, and the design of products and services with minimised adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Attention is paid to current trends in increasing the proportion of secondary raw materials and recycled materials returned to the Czech economy. The course examines the potential for using secondary raw materials as substitutes for primary non-renewable resources and their importance in ensuring long-term sustainable production and security of raw material supply.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Specialist knowledge
The student explains the principles of the circular economy, its key concepts and systemic interrelationships, and its environmental, resource-related, economic and societal benefits in comparison with the linear economic model.
The student characterises the European and national legal and strategic frameworks for the circular economy and waste management and explains their relationship to the management of material flows.
The student explains the principles of ecodesign and circular design, product life cycles, product life extension, reuse, repairability and recyclability.
The student describes the principles of sustainable production and the utilisation of primary, secondary and critical raw materials and explains their importance for security of raw material supply and industrial competitiveness.
The student characterises the waste hierarchy, selected technologies for recycling and other forms of material and energy recovery, and the specific features of circular resource management in construction, the energy sector and water management.
Specialist skills
The student analyses material and raw material flows within a product, process or system and identifies opportunities for waste prevention, preservation of material value and the closing of material cycles.
The student applies the principles of ecodesign and circular design when evaluating products and processes and proposes measures to extend product life, promote reuse and improve recyclability.
The student applies relevant legal and strategic requirements when addressing complex case studies in waste management and provides a reasoned justification for the appropriate method of waste management.
The student compares and evaluates the suitability of technologies for recycling and other forms of material and energy recovery, taking into account the properties of input materials, the quality of outputs, technological limitations and the waste hierarchy.
The student independently assesses opportunities for the utilisation of secondary raw materials and proposes and professionally justifies a circular solution for a product, process or value chain, taking into account the efficient use of material and water resources, environmental impacts, economic feasibility and innovation potential.
General competences
The student independently and responsibly addresses complex circular-economy problems in new or changing contexts and integrates technical, environmental, economic, legal and societal aspects into decision-making.
The student critically evaluates available information, data and alternative solutions, taking account of their uncertainties, limitations and wider implications, and provides a professional justification for the selected approach.
The student makes professionally and ethically responsible decisions that respect resource efficiency, waste prevention, environmental protection, the applicable legal framework and the principles of sustainable development.
The student communicates the results of analyses and proposed solutions clearly and persuasively, defends the selected solutions and collaborates effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
The student independently develops and updates their specialist knowledge, responds to developments in legislation, technologies and innovation, and applies circular-economy principles to new, complex and previously unresolved situations.
Literature
Advised literature
MAVROPOULOS, A. and A.W. NILSEN. Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: Towards a Wasteless Future or a Wasteful Planet? Publisher:Wiley. 448 pages. 2020. ISBN 978-1119699286 .
KOVACIC, Z., R. STRAND and T. VÖLKER. The Circular Economy in Europe. New York: Routledge, 2020. | Series: Routledge explorations in sustainability and governance: Routledge, 2019. DOI: 10.4324/9780429061028. ISBN 9780429061028 .
European Commission (2020): A new Circular Economy Action Plan. For a cleaner and more competitive Europe. COM(2020) 98 final. Brussels. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9903b325-6388-11ea-b735-01aa75ed71a1.0017.02/DOC_1&format=PDF
WEETMAN, C. A circular economy handbook for business and supply chains: repair, remake, redesign, rethink. New York: Kogan Page, 2017. ISBN 9780749476755 .
KOVACIC, Z., R. STRAND and T. VÖLKER. The Circular Economy in Europe. New York: Routledge, 2020. | Series: Routledge explorations in sustainability and governance: Routledge, 2019. DOI: 10.4324/9780429061028. ISBN 9780429061028 .
European Commission (2020): A new Circular Economy Action Plan. For a cleaner and more competitive Europe. COM(2020) 98 final. Brussels. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9903b325-6388-11ea-b735-01aa75ed71a1.0017.02/DOC_1&format=PDF
WEETMAN, C. A circular economy handbook for business and supply chains: repair, remake, redesign, rethink. New York: Kogan Page, 2017. ISBN 9780749476755 .