A/ INTRODUCTION TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Our current economy is largely linear. We ‘take-make and dispose’. This is not sustainable! It’s time we change the way we think about materials, products and waste!
C/ WHERE DO OUR MATERIALS COME FROM?
Learn about resource deposits and mining activities across the globe! Unfortunately, the quest for resources often creates conflicts. Reflect on your own resource use and calculate your own ecological backpack.
E/ PITCH YOUR OWN CIRCULAR PRODUCT
Design your own circular product and present it to your board of investors in a 5-minute business pitch!
G/ SOCIAL IMPACT OF MINING ACTIVITIES: ROLEPLAY
Mining for resources does not only impact the environment but can also affect society. In many countries, workers’ safety, fair wages and child labour are points of concern. Take on the role of a mine owner, a worker, a smartphone producer or a consumer and present your arguments in a panel discussion at the “United Nations’ Sustainable Materials Conference”.
B/ WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR SMARTPHONE?
Did you know there is gold in your smartphone? In fact, as many as 70 raw materials with different properties can be found in smartphone components. Let’s take a look at what’s inside our phones!
D/ THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE: LOOKING BEYOND THE USE PHASE
Have a closer look at the life cycle of your smartphone. Where did the materials come from? How was it produced? How long do you use it? And what happens to it when it reaches end of life?
F/ ECOCEO GAME: IT’S YOUR BUSINESS!
Print and play the card game ecoCEO and run your own business! Mine for resources, produce smartphones or e-bikes and make a profit! But beware, resource scarcity and external events may challenge your business model! Experiment with new circular business models to make your company resilient!
H/ LAB EXPERIMENT: COPPER RECYCLING
Waste electric and electronic devices contain a lot of copper. Fortunately, copper can be recycled with a high efficiency. Try it out in the lab! Investigate the different states in which copper can exist and learn how to recover pure copper metal!
