Circularity in Practice

This course introduces the foundational principles of circularity and explores the barriers and enablers of embedding these practices into your organization’s operations for long-term sustainability and competitive advantage.

Circularity is transforming how businesses design, produce and deliver value—shifting from a linear “take-make-waste” model to one that regenerates resources and minimizes waste. Participants will explore the intersections of circularity with other sustainability frameworks, examine global drivers and regulatory influences, and apply insights to their own roles and organizations.

Key topics covered include: 

• Unique Core Principles of Circularity: Compare circular economy with other green, eco- and sustainable frameworks, identifying commonalities, unique features and points of divergence.
• Current Drivers: Explain what drives the circular economy—values, desired outcomes and the business case for circularity across governmental, business, social and consumer perspectives.
• Relevant Opportunities: Discover how to apply circular principles in your current role and across sectors such as buildings, energy and operations.
• Technological Enablers: Develop working knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies that enable circularity, including renewable materials, urban mining and rare-earth recovery.
• Regulatory Environment: Understand U.S. regulatory frameworks and their impact on circular practices.

Through this course, offered through Villanova’s Sustainable Enterprise Executive Education and  Development (SEED) program, you’ll gain a strong conceptual foundation, practical tools and a personalized action plan to advance circular practices within your organization or sphere of influence.