Designing Electronics for Recycling in a Circular Economy from edX

Electronic products bring countless benefits to society, but their production and waste treatment also lead to numerous negative environmental and economic impacts. Since E-waste is the world’s fastest growing waste stream, governments are setting ambitious targets to help this industry transition towards a circular economy.

In a circular economy, products are designed to last. Yet every product will eventually reach the end of its functional life. Recycling can help recover the value embedded in its materials so that these can be used again to manufacture new products. However, – especially for complex products like electronics – applying this seemingly simple principle can raise big challenges.

This course supports designers, engineers and decision makers in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) industry in making the transition towards a circular economy by exploring both Design for Recycling and Designing with Recycled plastics. Regardless of your level of design experience or your familiarity of the circular economy, this course will help you to either upskill or update your knowledge and improve your product design and materials selection.

You will learn how the recyclability of EEE products can be optimized through good design and how to utilize recycled plastic content in existing or new products using new methods. The course will examine inspiring examples and provide insight into current and future recycling technologies, legislation and business models.

The course includes a virtual visit to a waste treatment facility and contributions from industry experts across the electronics supply chain showing the impact of design and material choices on the recycling and recovery process of the materials you use, and how concrete Design for Recycling guidelines help overcome these issues. The course also provides case studies to demonstrate how DfR can be applied to your own designs.

This course is an initiative from the Delft University of Technology, Partners for Innovation, Rijkswaterstaat and frontrunners within the EEE industry from the RE-CET (Redesigning Electronics in a Circular Economy Transition) consortium.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand how value creation (product design) and value recovery (recycling) are interconnected.
Recognize how different recycling technologies work and what their implications are for product design.
Optimize the recyclability of electrical and electronic products.

Apply recycled plastics in new electronic products.
Reduce risks and uncertainties when designing with recycled plastics.
Understand the implications of future developments in design for recycling.

Understand how value creation (product design) and value recovery (recycling) are interconnected.
Recognize how different recycling technologies work and what their implications are for product design.
Optimize the recyclability of electrical and electronic products.
Apply recycled plastics in new electronic products.
Reduce risks and uncertainties when designing with recycled plastics.
Understand the implications of future developments in design for recycling.

Syllabus

Module 1: DfR at a systems level

Introduction to circular design strategies.

Introduction to design for recycling.

Introduction to designing with recycled plastics.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Conny Bakker and Ruud Balkenende, who are recognized for their work in sustainability and circular economy

Examines how product design and value recovery through recycling are interconnected

Provides insight into current and future recycling technologies, legislation, and business models

Develops practical skills in optimizing recyclability of electrical and electronic products

Helps learners apply recycled plastics in new electronic products

Suitable for professionals in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment industry, particularly those seeking to transition towards a circular economy

Reviews summary

Designing electronics for a circular economy

According to students, this course offers a highly relevant and timely exploration of designing electronics for a circular economy. Learners find it provides practical strategies for both Design for Recycling and incorporating recycled plastics into new products. Many highlight the value of industry expert insights, case studies, and the virtual visit to a waste treatment facility, which bring complex concepts to life. While some reviewers, particularly those with existing sustainability knowledge, found certain aspects introductory, the course is generally considered comprehensive and crucial knowledge for professionals in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) industry seeking to understand the interconnectedness of product design and value recovery. Recent reviews suggest continuous improvements based on feedback, enhancing its overall effectiveness.

The course appears to be updated based on feedback.

"I noticed some improvements in presentation compared to earlier feedback I'd seen, so it seems they update it regularly."

Covers DfR, recycled plastics, and systemic views effectively.

"This was a very comprehensive introduction to circular economy principles in electronics."

"The focus on both designing for recycling and designing with recycled content is unique and incredibly useful."

"The course covers a lot of ground, bridging the gap between design and waste management."

"It really opened my eyes to the complexities of E-waste and opportunities in circular design."

Provides real-world examples and expert perspectives.

"The virtual visit was fascinating and the case studies really brought the concepts to life."

"I valued the diverse perspectives from TU Delft instructors and industry experts."

"I learned how to apply practical strategies for DfR and designing with recycled plastics."

"I appreciated the real-world examples and the interviews with industry experts."

Offers essential, up-to-date knowledge for the EEE industry.

"Excellent course, highly relevant. ... Very applicable to my work as an electronics engineer."

"This course provided me with crucial knowledge for anyone in the EEE industry."

"The content on future technologies was particularly insightful, a must-know."

"As a product manager, understanding DfR is vital, and this course delivered."

Some learners seek more direct hands-on application.

"Sometimes it felt a bit theoretical, and I would have loved more hands-on examples beyond the case studies."

"I found the course lacked sufficient practical tools for immediate application; it was more conceptual than I expected."

"I was hoping for more deep dives into specific material challenges and felt some parts were basic."

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 Designing Electronics for Recycling in a Circular Economy with these activities:

Volunteer at a local electronics recycling facility

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Volunteering at a recycling facility will give you first-hand experience with the recycling process and the challenges involved in recovering materials from EEE products.

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Contact a local electronics recycling facility and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend a training session to learn about the recycling process and safety procedures.
Volunteer your time to help sort and process EEE products.

Join a study group to discuss the course material

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Joining a study group will help you connect with other students, discuss the course material, and reinforce your understanding.

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Find or create a study group with other students in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Help each other with homework and assignments.

Watch video tutorials on EEE recycling technologies

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Watch video tutorials to gain a better understanding of the different EEE recycling technologies and their implications for product design.

Browse courses on Recycling Technologies

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Search for video tutorials on EEE recycling technologies.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts.
Identify the different recycling technologies and their advantages and disadvantages.

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Create a blog post on the benefits of designing for recycling

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Writing a blog post will help you synthesize your understanding of the benefits of designing for recycling and how it contributes to a circular economy.

Browse courses on Design for Recycling

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Research the benefits of designing for recycling.
Develop an outline for your blog post.
Write the blog post, including examples and case studies.
Proofread and edit your blog post.
Publish your blog post and share it with others.

Practice designing EEE products using DfR principles

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Hands-on practice will help you apply DfR principles to your own product designs, improving your understanding of the challenges and solutions involved.

Browse courses on Design for Recycling

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Select an EEE product to redesign.
Apply DfR principles to your design.
Evaluate your design for recyclability.
Revise your design based on your evaluation.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing Electronics for Recycling in a Circular Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Circular Economy Consultant

Circular Economy Consultants help organizations transition to a circular economy. They assist with developing and implementing strategies that minimize waste and pollution. They may also help organizations design and implement circular products and business models. This course can help Circular Economy Consultants develop valuable knowledge and skills, as e-waste management and recycling play a pivotal role in the circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Consultant

Product Designer

Product Designers create the look and feel of products. They pay attention to the product's physical appearance, usability, and safety, along with its functionality, cost, and durability. These Designers commonly work in cross-functional teams to ensure the final product meets stakeholder requirements, and they often specialize in particular product domains and types. This course is especially relevant to Product Designers working in the consumer electronics sector. It can teach about important considerations for product design that can affect the recycling process and make e-waste easier or harder to manage downstream.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Recycling Engineer

Recycling Engineers develop and implement recycling processes and technologies. They may work for recycling facilities, waste management companies, or manufacturing companies. This course can provide valuable information about the current challenges and advances in recycling electronic devices and help you build a foundation in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recycling Engineer

Electronic Engineer

Electronic Engineers design, test, and oversee the manufacture of electronic equipment. This covers a broad range of technologies and components, including circuit boards, microchips, and sensors. Electronic Engineers are needed in many industries, including telecommunications, energy, aerospace, and consumer products. This course will be especially useful to Electronic Engineers working on consumer electronic devices. They will learn about the recyclability of different materials, design strategies, and end-of-life concerns for products.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers use engineering principles to protect human health and the environment. They may work on a variety of projects, such as designing pollution control systems, remediating contaminated sites, or developing water treatment technologies. Some Environmental Engineers specialize in waste management, including e-waste. This course can give you a valuable overview of e-waste management, and it can help you develop important skills for the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Recycling Manager

Recycling Managers oversee their organization's recycling programs. They are responsible for ensuring that materials destined for recycling end up in the right bins and that disposal practices adhere to environmental regulations. They train recycling haulers and provide public education. This course will help teach you about the end-to-end process of recycling, including the many different technologies and processes that are in use today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recycling Manager

Environmental Compliance Manager

Environmental Compliance Managers ensure their organization's activities are compliant with environmental regulations. They are responsible for monitoring regulations, conducting audits, coordinating waste management, and preparing reports to submit to regulatory bodies. E-waste management is a significant concern for Environmental Compliance Managers, and it is a matter of increasing importance to regulatory bodies worldwide. This course can give you valuable insight into the latest e-waste regulations and management trends.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers research and develop materials for use in a broad range of products, such as electronics, buildings, and vehicles. E-waste management is a major environmental problem and an important focus of their work. This course can provide you with valuable insight into how the materials used in electronics impact the recycling process and contribute to the waste problem.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop, implement, and administer an organization's sustainability initiatives. They are employed by many kinds of organizations and businesses, and their roles can cover a wide range of responsibilities, such as environmental compliance, stakeholder engagement, and supply chain management. E-waste management is not typically the primary focus of these roles, but it can be one of many concerns related to sustainability. This course can help Sustainability Managers get educated on the latest research and techniques for waste management and recycling of electronic devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide their clients with specialized advice and services on environmental issues. They may be brought in to conduct specific assessments, draft technical reports, or help develop and implement environmental management systems. The main clients of Environmental Consultants are energy and mining companies, although they can work on projects in many other industries. This course can provide a valuable foundation in electronic waste management, a topic of increasing importance to energy and mining companies.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists are dedicated to protecting the natural environment and safeguarding human health. Environmental Scientists study how the Earth's natural systems interact with each other and with human activity. Reducing e-waste and developing eco-friendly electronics are part of a broader trend towards environmental sustainability. This course can help build an understanding of the current problems with electronic waste, and it can help students discover and apply solutions.

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Waste Management Specialist

Waste Management Specialists develop and manage waste management programs. They work for waste management companies, government agencies, and large-scale organizations. E-waste management is a major concern for Waste Management Specialists, and it is an area of growing importance. This course may help you learn about the specific challenges and opportunities related to e-waste management, and it can help you build the skills required for this role.

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Environmental Health and Safety Manager

Environmental Health and Safety Managers ensure their organization's activities comply with environmental and health and safety regulations. They develop policies and procedures, conduct audits, and monitor compliance. E-waste management is related to both health and safety and environmental protection concerns, which are areas of focus for these professionals. This course can be helpful to Environmental Health and Safety Managers who want to learn more about the specific concerns related to waste electronic devices.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help their clientele formulate, implement, and refine sustainability policies and practices. They are employed by all kinds of organizations across many business sectors, where they promote awareness, improve stakeholder relations, and help the organization fulfill its social responsibility objectives. A background in engineering, or at least technical knowledge, is common for sustainability consultants. This course can help lay that foundation by building an understanding about sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques, especially as they relate to electronic waste.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups to provide expert advice on the potential impact of policies. Policy Analysts may specialize in specific policy areas, such as environmental protection or waste management. This course could be useful for Policy Analysts concerned with environmental protection or waste management. It can provide insight into the specific challenges and opportunities for reducing e-waste and achieving a circular economy.

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