EMEA 5222 Product Design for the Circular Economy

Specialization: Sustainable and Circular Product Development        
Instructor: Michael Readey
Prior knowledge needed: No prior background knowledge or experience is required.

Course Description:

This first course in the Sustainable and Circular Product Development specialization provides the tools necessary to implementCircular Economy (CE) principles. Methodologies include Cradle-to-Cradle, Design for “R”, where R refers to Reuse, Repair,Remanufacturing, and Recycling. Organic materials enable the biological cycle as a component to CE. Products are often packaged,and a circular product needs to also have circular packaging. Finally, the course highlights ways designers can select the appropriate materials to achieve their circularity objectives.

What You'll Learn:

• Apply Cradle-to-Cradle and Design for “R” product design principles.
• Describe how organic (e.g., natural) materials enable CE through the biological cycle.
• Describe the concept of circular packaging, and how it is practiced.
• Apply materials selection tools to achieve circular product and packaging objectives.

Topics Outline:

• CE and the Butterfly Diagram 
• Cradle to Cradle Design Principles
• Design for R: Reuse, Repair, Remanufacturing and Recycling 
• The Regenerative Biological Cycle
• Circular Packaging Concepts 
• Materials Selection and CE

View on Coursera in Spring 2025