Circular Economies

This course covers the emerging field of Circular Economies, which can be characterized as economic systems that aim for minimal waste and pollution. These economies involve models of production and consumption that include sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products with the goal of maximizing their value and life cycle. The course will study the history of the theory of circular economies; it will discuss specific examples of transitions from linear to circular economies in various industries, communities, countries, and regions. It will also explore the theoretical and empirical frameworks used to plan, assess, and evaluate policies that pursue the implementation of circular economies.