W4_lecture1_CE examples_generic(1)

Module Overview

• ENVE4610: Engineering the Circular Economy

  • Focus on Circular Economy and relevant case studies throughout the modules.

Circular Economy Sectors

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

• Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.

  • Global Sources include:

    • Electricity and heat

    • Transport

    • Manufacturing and construction

    • Agriculture

  • Total GHG metrics reveal significant contributions to climate change from human activity.

Australia GHG Emissions

• Shows similar sectors to global emissions with distinguishing amounts specific to Australia.

Construction Industry Impact

• Construction accounts for:

  • 43 billion tonnes of mineral-based materials.

  • 36% of global energy use.

  • Nearly 40% of extraction leads to end-of-life waste.

  • Significant percentage of carbon emissions sourced from construction.

Circular Economy Trends in Construction

• Design for Disassembly: Enable component recovery.

• Modular Construction: Reduces waste during production.

• Material Marketplaces: Connect end-of-life materials to new users.

Plastics & Textiles Impact

Plastics

• Production around 350Mt with leakage of 60-90Mt into the environment.

• Global CO2 emissions related to plastics reach about 400 million tonnes annually.

Textiles

• 90 million tonnes of fibre used in textiles with 92 million tonnes of clothing waste.

• Significant water use and pollutant generation throughout production.

CE Trends in Textiles

• Focus on chemical reduction, durable clothing, and high-quality recycling solutions.

Innovations and Case Studies

Fuji Xerox

• Successful recycling scheme with a high diversion rate from landfills.

Mud Jeans

• Highlight sustainable practices with recycled materials and rental options.

Nofir/Aquafil

• Recycling discarded fishing nets into new products.

Food Waste Addressing Initiatives

• Significant global and local impact, with notable initiatives aimed at improving resource utilization and waste reduction.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

• Focus on educational efforts and partnerships to promote circular economy practices.

Circular Economy Models

Loop System

• Collaborative efforts among corporations to promote reusable packaging.

Corporate Efforts toward Circularity

• A focus on companies addressing plastic waste and utilizing sustainable practices for production.

Summary

• Address circular economy principles and the importance of sustainable practices across all sectors highlighted through the course.