Circular Economy
A circular economy is a systemic approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment. In contrast to a ‘take-make-waste’ linear model, a circular economy is regenerative by design and aims to gradually decouple growth from the consumption of finite resources.
This resource excels in skills-building by treating students as active designers of the future rather than passive consumers. It builds a powerful bridge between personal civic responsibility and creative problem-solving.
Guidelines: Depth of understanding, Emphasis on skills building, Instructional effectiveness
This resource excels in skills-building by treating students as active designers of the future rather than passive consumers. It builds a powerful bridge between personal civic responsibility and creative problem-solving.
Guidelines: Usability
The tool builds on the familiar Business Model Canvas format while explicitly requiring students to factor environmental and social impacts alongside financial viability. It pushes students beyond basic recycling concepts, teaching them to design business projects that are inherently regenerative from the ground up. 1, 2
Guidelines: Depth of understanding, Emphasis on skills building, Fairness and accuracy
By assigning students distinct "Circular Citizen" identities based on their choices during play, it empowers them to think critically about the diverse human and structural factors needed to build a sustainable, zero-waste project or business. The resource is accessible for a wide audience, designed for ages 6 and up, making it ideal for elementary through high school classrooms (grades 1–12).
Guidelines: Depth of understanding, Fairness and accuracy, Personal and civic responsibility
It runs directly in a standard web browser with no heavy software installations required. It also features a "Print & Play" paper-and-cardboard version if a teacher prefers a screen-free, tabletop workshop.
Guidelines: Depth of understanding, Emphasis on skills building, Instructional effectiveness, Usability
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is one of the most prominent and well-respected organizations working on the circular economy, and they provide several resources for educators and learners to engage with. For many of us, the circular economy is a new concept, one that might sound complicated to understand. In fact, the concept is quite simple, based around three primary tenants: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. For environmental educators, it’s a concept that we can use to educate about how human manufacturing, design, and consumption link to natural systems, and how we can reduce our overall footprint. The goal of a circular economy is not only to eliminate waste, but to contribute back to our natural systems through renewable, sustainable solutions. This interactive website walks learners through the concept of the circular economy, starting the time of the Industrial Revolution.
Guidelines: Instructional effectiveness
Recently, the Eco-Schools program piloted a new curriculum framework for education on circular economy concepts, including teacher training. Using the Eco-Schools seven step framework of project-based learning, this pilot will hopefully extend throughout the entire Eco-Schools network. Pramod Sharma, FEE’s Senior Director of Education, will be leading a webinar in summer 2020 to provide an overview of circular economy concepts, with a focus on educational opportunities.
Guidelines: Depth of understanding, Instructional effectiveness
