Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy from edX

It has become almost impossible to imagine what our lives would be like without the many benefits of packaging - just think about the different packaging and single-use items you use on a daily basis. Yet as our global population grows in size and affluence, both our collective demand for packaging materials and the waste we generate as a result will increase dramatically.

Currently, large amounts of packaging waste escape formal collection and recycling systems and eventually end up polluting the environment. Moreover, their material value is forever lost to the economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that uncollected plastic packaging waste alone is worth somewhere between 80 to 120 billion dollars a year.

So how can we improve packaging systems in order to capture this wasted potential? Clearly, the way we currently design, recover, and reuse packaging urgently needs a rethink!

In this course, you will learn about the design of sustainable packaging systems. To do so we will explore the design and business strategies of the circular economy.

Contrary to our current industrial model, which extracts, uses and ultimately disposes of resources, a circular economy is regenerative by design. This means that products and services are reimagined from a systems perspective in order to minimize waste, maximize positive economic, environmental and social impacts, and keep resources locked in a cycle of restoration.

This course is for you if you are interested in learning about sustainable packaging design. You'll also benefit if you are a professional in the packaging industry and want to learn how to find circular opportunities in your work. Students - particularly in design -will be able to broaden their knowledge of circular design and business strategies.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How circular design principles can be applied to create 'closed loop' packaging systems
Business strategies that support these systems

Opportunities of designing with renewable, bio-based materials
Best practices through case studies with industry frontrunners

How circular design principles can be applied to create 'closed loop' packaging systems
Business strategies that support these systems
Opportunities of designing with renewable, bio-based materials
Best practices through case studies with industry frontrunners

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Takes a highly relevant and comprehensive look at circular design in packaging systems

Suitable for a wide audience, including those with varied professional backgrounds in packaging, design, and sustainability

Taught by experienced professionals in the field, ensuring practical insights and industry knowledge

Provides valuable business strategies to support circular packaging design

Emphasizes opportunities for designing with renewable, bio-based materials, promoting sustainability

May require some prior knowledge of packaging systems or circular economy principles

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy with these activities:

Read Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

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Reading Cradle to Cradle will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of the circular economy and their application to packaging.

View Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight important passages
Discuss the book with other students or professionals

Learn about renewable and bio-based materials

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Understanding the properties and applications of renewable and bio-based materials will help you make informed choices when designing sustainable packaging systems.

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Read articles and research papers on renewable and bio-based materials
Watch videos and presentations on the topic
Attend a workshop or conference on renewable and bio-based materials

Participate in online discussions and forums

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Participating in online discussions and forums will help you connect with other students and professionals in the field and learn from their experiences.

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Join online discussion groups and forums
Participate in discussions and ask questions
Share your own knowledge and experiences

Three other activities

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Practice applying circular design principles

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Practicing circular design principles through exercises will help you develop the skills necessary for designing sustainable packaging systems.

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Identify opportunities for circularity in existing packaging designs
Develop new packaging designs based on circular principles
Evaluate the environmental impact of your proposed designs

Attend industry events and conferences

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Attending industry events and conferences will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in sustainable packaging.

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Identify relevant industry events and conferences
Register for and attend the events
Network with other professionals in the field

Write a blog post or article on sustainable packaging

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Writing a blog post or article on sustainable packaging will help you synthesize your knowledge and share it with a wider audience.

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Choose a topic and research it thoroughly
Write a draft of your blog post or article
Edit and proofread your work
Publish your blog post or article

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Circular Economy Manager

A Circular Economy Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of sustainable practices throughout an organization. Their focus is on reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency, which aligns with the principles of circular design taught in the course. This course can help Circular Economy Managers understand how to apply these principles to packaging design specifically.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and oversee sustainability initiatives for businesses and organizations. They are responsible for ensuring that operations are environmentally responsible and socially conscious. The course can aid Sustainability Managers by providing a framework for understanding the circular economy, which is essential for creating sustainable packaging systems.

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Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and testing of packaging systems. As packaging waste is a significant environmental concern, circular design principles are becoming increasingly important in this field. The course can provide Packaging Engineers with the knowledge and skills to create sustainable packaging systems that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants advise organizations on environmental issues such as waste management and sustainability. The course can help Environmental Consultants develop a deep understanding of circular design principles and how to apply them to packaging systems, which is a key aspect of sustainable waste management.

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Recycling Manager

Recycling Managers oversee the collection, processing, and marketing of recyclable materials. With a focus on reducing waste and recovering valuable resources, circular design principles are essential for Recycling Managers to understand. The course can help them learn how to design packaging systems that are easy to recycle and maximize the recovery of valuable materials.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists research and develop new materials and improve existing ones. In the context of sustainable packaging, Materials Scientists play a crucial role in developing renewable, bio-based materials that can replace traditional packaging materials. The course can provide Materials Scientists with knowledge about the properties and applications of renewable materials, enabling them to contribute to the development of sustainable packaging solutions.

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Circular Economy Designer

Circular Economy Designers apply circular design principles to a wide range of products and services. They focus on creating systems that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. This course can help Circular Economy Designers build a foundation in circular design principles and learn how to apply them specifically to packaging systems.

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Product Sustainability Manager

Product Sustainability Managers are responsible for ensuring that products are designed, developed, and manufactured in a sustainable manner. They work closely with other stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. The course can help Product Sustainability Managers understand the role of packaging in product sustainability and how to apply circular design principles to create more sustainable packaging solutions.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They are responsible for ensuring that supply chains are efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. The course can help Supply Chain Managers understand how to incorporate circular design principles into supply chains, which can lead to reduced waste, improved resource efficiency, and enhanced sustainability.

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Waste Management Specialist

Waste Management Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing waste management plans for businesses and organizations. They help to reduce waste generation and increase recycling and composting rates. The course can provide Waste Management Specialists with knowledge about circular design principles and how to apply them to packaging systems, which can help reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers develop and implement solutions to environmental problems. They work on a wide range of issues, including air and water pollution, waste management, and climate change. The course can help Environmental Engineers understand the role of packaging in environmental sustainability and how to apply circular design principles to create more sustainable packaging solutions.

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Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers design and develop products for mass production. They focus on creating products that are functional, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing. The course can help Industrial Designers understand the principles of circular design and how to apply them to packaging design. This can lead to the creation of more sustainable and innovative packaging solutions.

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Green Chemist

Green Chemists develop and implement chemical processes that are environmentally friendly. They focus on reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and minimizing waste generation. The course can help Green Chemists understand the role of packaging in chemical safety and sustainability. It can also provide them with knowledge about renewable, bio-based materials that can be used in packaging.

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Life Cycle Assessment Analyst

Life Cycle Assessment Analysts evaluate the environmental impacts of products and services throughout their lifecycle. They use a variety of tools and techniques to assess environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and waste generation. The course can help Life Cycle Assessment Analysts understand the role of packaging in product sustainability and how to apply circular design principles to create more sustainable packaging solutions.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts develop and analyze environmental policies. They work with governments, businesses, and other organizations to develop policies that protect the environment and promote sustainability. The course can help Environmental Policy Analysts understand the role of packaging in environmental policy and how to develop policies that encourage the adoption of circular design principles in packaging.

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