Basics of Waste Management and Circular Economy

Course Title: Basics of Waste Management and Circular Economy

Course Overview:

This introductory course explores the foundations of waste management and circular economy principles, emphasizing how responsible resource use supports environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. Learners will understand where waste comes from, how it impacts people and the planet, and how circular systems can transform waste into valuable resources. By connecting theory to practice, this course aligns with UN SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).

Learners will complete a hands-on portfolio project designing a small-scale circular solution for their own community or organization.

 

Total Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes

(Approx. 40–45 minutes per module)

 

Course Type:

• Free foundational course – 100% self-paced.
• Certificate of Completion (Tier 1).

 

MODULE 1: Understanding Waste and Its Impact

Total Duration: ~50 minutes

Lesson 1: What Is Waste? (15 min)

Video (5 min): “Where Does Our Waste Go?” — global overview of waste generation and disposal.

Reading (5 min): “Types and Sources of Waste”—municipal, industrial, agricultural, and e-waste explained.

Quiz (5 min):

Lesson 2: The Environmental and Health Impacts of Waste (23 min)

Reading (10 min): “Global Waste Challenges”—overview of how poor waste management affects air, soil, and water.

Infographic (3 min): Global waste statistics and landfill emissions.

Case Study (5 min): How waste mismanagement has affected different world

regions (Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas).

Quiz (5 min):

Lesson 3: Why Waste Management Matters for Sustainability (20 min)

Video (5 min): “From Waste to Worth”—how sustainable waste management supports clean cities and healthy communities.

Reading (7 min): Connection between waste management and SDG 11

Activity (3 min):

Reflection: “Identify one local waste problem and suggest a simple action to improve it.”

Quiz (5 min):

 

MODULE 2: The Waste Hierarchy—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Total Duration: ~40 minutes

Lesson 1: Understanding the 5Rs (15 min)

Reading (8 min): “The 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover.”

Activity (5 min):

Short reflection task: Learners list one real-life example for each of the 5Rs in the text box (e.g., “Refuse plastic straws,” “Reuse glass jars,” etc.).

Quiz (2 min):

Lesson 2: Linear vs. Circular Systems (20 min)

Video (5 min): “Linear vs Circular Economy Explained.”

Reading (7 min): How linear “take-make-dispose” systems differ from circular

“make-use-return” models.

Infographic (3 min): Material flow comparison between the two systems.

Quiz (5 min):

Lesson 3: Real-World Waste Reduction Success Stories (15 min)

Case Study (6 min): Examples of global sustainable waste initiatives (e.g., Sweden’s waste-to-energy model, Japan’s recycling culture).

Discussion (4 min):

“What small waste-reducing behavior could your community adopt starting this week?”

Quiz (5 min):

 

MODULE 3: From Waste to Resource—The Circular Economy

Total Duration: ~40 minutes

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Circular Economy (15 min)

Video (4 min): “What Is the Circular Economy?” — simplified explainer of circular systems.

Reading (7 min): The principles of designing out waste, keeping products in use, and regenerating natural systems.

Quiz (4 min):

Lesson 2: Circular Business and City Models (15 min)

Case Study (6 min): Global circular initiatives—Amsterdam’s Circular City, Patagonia’s clothing reuse model, and Kigali’s plastic-free policies

Infographic (3 min): Circular economy loops across industries.

Reading (5 min): How circular design connects to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

Lesson 3: Innovation, Policy, and Community Action (10 min)

Reading (5 min): How policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and innovation drive circularity.

Activity (5 min):

Discussion: “Identify one local innovation or policy that promotes circular or zero-waste practices.”

 

MODULE 4: Portfolio Project – Waste-to-Value Concept Design

Total Duration: ~25 minutes

Lesson 1: Portfolio Project Brief

Assignment Title: Design a Mini Circular Economy Concept

Instructions:

Develop a short proposal applying what you’ve learned about waste management and circular economy principles.

Your submission should include:

• One waste challenge in your home, school, or workplace.
• A simple circular solution (e.g., reuse, upcycle, redesign).
• Expected impact (environmental, economic, or social).
• Connection to at least one SDG (11, 12, 13)

Submission Options:

• 1-page written plan (PDF or text).
• 2-minute recorded video presentation.
• Optional: Upload to your GitHub or LinkedIn sustainability portfolio.  

Completion & Certification

• Complete all lessons, quizzes, and the final portfolio project.
• Minimum passing score: 70%.
• Issued Certificate of Completion (Tier 1 – Free Foundation).
• 100% self-paced—accessible via mobile and desktop.

Who Should Enroll

• Students or professionals new to sustainability.
• Entrepreneurs exploring eco-innovation and upcycling.
• NGO or community leaders tackling waste challenges.
• Anyone eager to learn how circular design reduces waste.

 

Next Learning Pathways

After this foundational course, learners can advance to:

• Intermediate Course: Sustainable Resource Management and Recycling.
• Advanced Course: Circular Economy for Policy and Business Innovation (OCN- Accredited).
• Specialized Tracks: Waste-to-Energy | Sustainable Packaging | Recycling Innovation.