This course is your starting point for understanding how waste is generated, managed, and transformed into value through circular economy principles, in a clear and practical way.

You will not be asked to master complex engineering processes or technical waste treatment systems. Instead, you will explore how everyday waste decisions affect the environment, public health, climate change, and economic opportunities, and how circular thinking helps reduce waste, conserve resources, and create sustainable systems.

This is a free Tier 0 course, designed to build foundational awareness, confidence, and systems thinking before moving into applied, professional learning in waste management, sustainability, and circular economy practices.

By the end of this course, you should feel comfortable explaining what waste management is, why it matters, how circular economy principles work in real life, and how responsible waste practices support environmental protection, climate action, and economic resilience across communities and organisations.

This course also prepares you for progression into a Tier 1 OCN Credential Course  in Circular Economy in Practice: Business Models and Value Chains, where you learn how organisations apply circular principles to operations, products, packaging, and services and move from awareness into applied tools, real-world case studies, and practical decision-making.