Waste Management and Critical Raw Materials from edX

How can we ensure the continuous supply of the increasingly scarce raw materials that are needed to make the products we use every day? In this course, we will look at the potential benefits of circular procurement and how recycling technologies and more efficient ways of collecting and recycling critical raw materials (CRMs) can make your business and production more resource resilient.

A good number of the materials found in everyday products are now referred to as "critical". This means that there is a risk of failure in their supply and that they are also critical in terms of economic importance.

Many metals, for instance, are already critical or could become critical in the near future due to their limited availability and the growing demand for products worldwide. Think of the newest electronic products that contain critical metals such as gallium, which is used in integrated circuits; beryllium, used in electronic and telecommunications equipment and permanent magnets and germanium found in infra-red optics.

Innovative product design and reusing, recycling and remanufacturing products can help to deal with a raw materials shortage. But this can only provide an integrated solution if we keep CRMs in the loop through smarter CRM management. The starting point is to identify CRMs in products. It is not always clear what materials are in which products. It is, therefore, necessary to keep all metals in the loop for as long as possible.

Scarcity in the supply chain can not only damage businesses but also negatively impact economic development and the environment. For this reason, the course will also discuss environmental issues and electric and electronic waste regulations.

This course will be of value to a wide range of professionals working in or interested in this field. These include professionals involved in producing products containing CRMs (such as electronics) as well as local or national government officials tasked with organizing waste management and recycling for these products. Students interested in the field of waste management will also find this course helpful for their studies in electronics, industrial design, and industrial ecology.

This course has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The EIT receives support from the European Union’s Horizon2020 research and innovation program.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Current challenges and opportunities in resource resilience
Environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement of products that contain crms
Waste collection methods and efficient collection of waste in households and at companies
Remanufacturing, refurbishment, re-use and recycling processes of products which contain crms

Waste prevention through chain optimization
Benefits of circular procurement to keep critical raw materials in the loop through smart waste management
How product design can support efficient recycling and remanufacturing
How to uncover new business models to reduce waste and to make your business more resource resilient

Current challenges and opportunities in resource resilience
Environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement of products that contain crms
Waste collection methods and efficient collection of waste in households and at companies
Remanufacturing, refurbishment, re-use and recycling processes of products which contain crms
Waste prevention through chain optimization
Benefits of circular procurement to keep critical raw materials in the loop through smart waste management
How product design can support efficient recycling and remanufacturing
How to uncover new business models to reduce waste and to make your business more resource resilient

Syllabus

Week 1: Urgency and challenges with critical raw materials (CRMs) and waste. How can we find out what CRMs are in products, and how can we get them back? The effects of materials shortage, future development and geo-politics on raw materials. Current waste management of products containing CRMs in general, waste management of commercial and household waste, regulation of electric and electronic waste (WEEE). Environmental problems such as leaching heavy metals from incinerator ashes and landfills. Partial metals retrieval from incinerator ashes.

Week 2: Different collection systems for recycling and remanufacturing/refurbishment, recycling psychology and the separate waste collection of commercial and household waste.

Week 3: Recycling technology: pre-processing, metallurgy and its challenges. Recycling economics and the problem of <1% (most) CRMs recycling.

Week 4: Remanufacturing and refurbishment systems: return of product (reverse logistics), disassembly and repair of the product, market demand and economics.

Week 5: Product design using better recycling or remanufacturing and refurbishment. Substitution of materials.

Week 6: New business models to generate profits from products that last longer. Circular procurement for government and companies.

Good to know

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Examines topics that are central to current practices in the waste and recycling industry

Develops knowledge in waste collection methods, recycling technologies, and remanufacturing systems

Develops knowledge of current environmental issues caused by waste mismanagement

Teaches product design to support efficient recycling and remanufacturing

Introduces new business models to reduce waste generation

Requires no specialized knowledge to take and benefits beginners the most

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Career center

Learners who complete Waste Management and Critical Raw Materials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Circular Economy Specialist

Circular Economy Specialists help businesses and organizations transition to a circular economy. They also develop and implement strategies to reduce waste and increase resource efficiency. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Circular Economy Specialist. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you develop and implement strategies that are more effective and efficient.

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Waste Management Engineer

Waste Management Engineers design and manage waste collection, treatment, and disposal systems. They also develop and implement plans to reduce waste generation. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Waste Management Engineer. You will learn about waste collection methods, recycling processes, and waste prevention techniques. This knowledge can help you design and manage waste systems that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

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Waste Auditor

Waste Auditors assess the waste generation of businesses and organizations. They also develop and implement plans to reduce waste generation. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Waste Auditor. You will learn about waste collection methods, recycling processes, and waste prevention techniques. This knowledge can help you assess waste generation and develop plans to reduce waste.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability plans for businesses and organizations. They also track and report on sustainability metrics. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Sustainability Manager. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you develop and implement sustainability plans that are more effective and efficient.

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Hazardous Waste Manager

Hazardous Waste Managers oversee the management and disposal of hazardous waste. They also develop and implement plans to reduce hazardous waste generation. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Hazardous Waste Manager. You will learn about waste collection methods, recycling processes, and waste prevention techniques. This knowledge can help you manage and dispose of hazardous waste safely and effectively.

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Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts research and analyze environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues. They also develop and implement sustainability plans. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Sustainability Analyst. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you research and analyze sustainability issues and develop and implement sustainability plans.

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Recycling Coordinator

Recycling Coordinators develop and implement recycling programs for businesses and organizations. They also educate the public about recycling and waste reduction. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Recycling Coordinator. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you develop and implement recycling programs that are more effective and efficient.

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Environmental Health Officer

Environmental Health Officers investigate environmental health hazards and develop and implement plans to protect public health. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as an Environmental Health Officer. You will learn about the environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you investigate environmental health hazards and develop plans to protect public health.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and how it interacts with human activity. They use this knowledge to help solve environmental problems and protect human health. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as an Environmental Scientist. You will learn about the environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement, waste collection methods, and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you develop solutions to environmental problems and protect human health.

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Environmental Compliance Officer

Environmental Compliance Officers ensure that businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations. They also develop and implement environmental management plans. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as an Environmental Compliance Officer. You will learn about the environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you ensure that businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants advise businesses and organizations on environmental issues. They also help businesses and organizations develop and implement environmental management plans. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as an Environmental Consultant. You will learn about the environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you advise businesses and organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact.

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Product Designer

Product Designers develop and design new products. They also consider the environmental impact of their products and how they can be recycled or reused. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Product Designer. You will learn about the environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement, as well as product design techniques that can reduce waste. This knowledge can help you design products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists research and develop new materials. They also study the properties of materials to improve their performance and efficiency. This course can help you build a foundation in critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Materials Scientist. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as the environmental problems caused by waste mismanagement. This knowledge can help you develop new materials that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They also develop and implement strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Supply Chain Manager. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you develop and implement strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers oversee the purchase of goods and services for businesses and organizations. They also develop and implement strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This course can help you build a foundation in waste management and critical raw materials, which can be helpful for a career as a Procurement Manager. You will learn about the challenges and opportunities in resource resilience, as well as waste collection methods and recycling processes. This knowledge can help you develop and implement strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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