Circular Systems

This course looks at where important materials in products we use every day come from and how these materials can be used more efficiently, longer, and in closed loops. This is the aim of the Circular Economy, but it doesn’t happen on its own. It is the result of choices and strategies by suppliers, designers, businesses, policymakers and all of us as consumers. In addition to providing many cases of managing materials for sustainability, the course also teaches skills and tools for analyzing circular business models and promotes development of your own ideas to become more involved in the transition to a Circular Economy. You will learn from expert researchers and practitioners from around Europe as they explain core elements and challenges in the transition to a circular economy over the course of 5 modules: Module 1: Materials. This module explores where materials come from, and builds a rationale for why society needs more circularity. Module 2: Circular Business Models. In this module circular business models are explored in-depth and a range of ways for business to create economic and social value are discussed. Module 3: Circular Design, Innovation and Assessment. This module presents topics like functional materials and eco-design as well as methods to assess environmental impacts. Module 4: Policies and Networks. This module explores the role of governments and networks and how policies and sharing best practices can enable the circular economy. Module 5: Circular Societies. This module examines new norms, forms of engagement, social systems, and institutions, needed by the circular economy and how we, as individuals, can help society become more circular.

This course is taught in Swedish. The circular economy can now be considered an established part of the transition to a sustainable society. But what does it really mean and what is new? This course will give you an introduction to the circular economy with a focus on materials. You will learn what the circular economy is, how it relates to sustainable development and the key principles of the circular economy. Adding on to this introductory course, there is a course on recycling and a course on metals in a circular society. Materials in a circular society - Recycling Materials in a circular society - Metals The course is free of charge, taught online with no scheduled meetings and can be followed at your own pace. You can take the course without any subject-specific prior knowledge. You will be continuously examined by answering questions related to each part. Examination is through automatically corrected questions and reflection tasks. To pass, you must answer all questions correctly. There is no limit to the number of times you can answer the questions. The reflection questions allow you to stop and give answers from your own perspective. These are not graded. See all free online courses that KTH offers

This course is taught in Swedish. This course is an extension to the course Introduction to materials in a circular society. The course gives you basic insights into the circular economy and the recycling of metals. You will also gain an understanding of the recycling of the most common metals and their role in a sustainable society in a circular economy. During the course we will review: The basics of the properties of the most common metals and their different uses The basics of the production of the most common metallic materials Recycling of metals and their environmental footprint The basics of the circular economy The course is completely free of charge, taught online with no scheduled sessions, and can be followed at your own pace. You can take the course without subject-specific prior knowledge. The course consists of five parts: Introduction to metals Properties of metals Classification of major metals Preparation of the most common metals Recycling and environmental perspectives  You will be examined continuously by answering questions related to each part. The examination is based on questions that are automatically corrected. To pass, you must answer all questions correctly. There is no limit to the number of times you can answer the questions. After passing the course you will have learned to: Explain the characteristics of metallic materials and describe the properties, uses and production processes of the most common metallic materials. Reason insightfully about the strengths and weaknesses of different metallic materials from both a user and sustainability perspective. Explain the process for recycling different metals in a circular economy with low environmental impact. Explain what a circular economy is and explain key circular economy concepts. Other courses about the circular economy: Introduction to materials in a circular society Materials in a circular society - Recycling See all free online courses that KTH offers

This course is taught in Swedish. This course is an extension to the course Introduction to materials in a circular society. The course summarises the state of the art in circular economy and recycling of materials. The course includes the following elements: What is recycling? Different materials and processes for recycling Open and closed systems for recycling Standards and recycling in a circular society The course is completely free of charge, taught online with no scheduled meetings, and can be followed at your own pace. You can take the course without subject-specific prior knowledge. You will be continuously examined by answering questions related to each part. Examination is by automatically corrected questions and reflection tasks. To pass, you must answer all questions correctly. There is no limit to the number of times you can answer the questions. The reflection questions allow you to stop and give answers from your own perspective. These are not graded.  Other courses about the circular economy: Introduction to materials in a circular society Materials in a circular society - Metals See all free online courses that KTH offers