Class Circular Economy and Material Flow Management

The course Circular Economy and Material Flow Management falls within sustainability, focusing on efficient resource management and the transition from linear to circular production and consumption models. It analyzes and intervenes in material and energy systems, from extraction to end-of-life, promoting waste prevention, valorization, and value retention. It covers environmental, technological, economic, and social dimensions, addressing resource management, industrial ecology, sustainable innovation, waste management, decision support, and public policy. It prepares professionals to understand socio-environmental challenges, critically analyze systems, and propose sustainable and innovative solutions, connecting with other courses on sustainability, environmental management, planning, and impact assessment.

Not applicable

Natural capital, planetary boundaries, and environmental pressures. Concept, principles, and models of Circular Economy. Industrial ecology, industrial symbiosis, and low-emission strategies. Material flow management: Systems and boundaries Mass balances Circularity indicators Circular strategies for materials and waste: Prevention, reuse, recycling, organic and energy recovery Innovation, circular business models, and sustainable financing. Public policies, governance, and communication of the Circular Economy.

The course adopts active, student-centered methodologies that foster participation, autonomy, and meaningful learning. It includes Problem-Based Learning and analysis of national and international case studies, promoting critical interpretation and practical application of knowledge. Collaborative work focuses on diagnosis and design of circular solutions, with classroom discussion to enhance critical thinking, creativity, and argumentation skills. Digital resources, indicators, flowcharts, diagnostic templates, and Generative Artificial Intelligence are integrated to support research and critical review, always under principles of transparency and academic integrity.

Deutz, P., Vermeulen, W. J. V., Baumgartner, R. J., Ramos, T. B., & Raggi, A. (Eds.). (2023). Circular economy realities: Critical perspectives on sustainability. Routledge. European Commission. (2020). A new circular economy action plan: For a cleaner and more competitive Europe (COM/2020/98 final). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0098 European Environment Agency. (2024). Circular economy country profile 2024: Portugal. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/circular-economy/country-profiles-on-circular-economy Graedel, T. E., & Eckelman, M. J. (2023). Industrial ecology and sustainability. World Scientific. Myers, R. J., Mason, A. R., Wang, J., Yayla, A., Bide, T., Petavratzi, E., Hopkinson, P., & Stegemann, J. A. (2024). Material flow analysis: Insights and evidence from the NICER Programme. UK Research and Innovation. Van Ewijk, S., & Stegemann, J. A. (2023). An introduction to waste management and circular economy. UCL Press.