95936 - Circular Economy: Basics and Implications

Learning outcomes

Provide fundamentals about green and circular economy priorities and the economical, environmental and social implications associated with their adoption in the major industrial sectors and in the management of infrastructures and the natural patrimony. Basics and industrial implications of the integrated valorization of the waste types of the most relevant biological and non-biological value chains will be presented, also in cooperation with industrial experts, along with the ones associated with the use of alternative resources.

Course contents

The major topics covered in the course are:

1. The Green and Circular Economy: fundamentals, current implementation status, and environmental, economic, and industrial impacts.
2. The European Green Deal and European Action Plans and Initiatives for the implementation of the Circular Economy: main contents, objectives, and implications.
3. Improving industrial efficiency, including through digitalization and the adoption of innovative technologies.
4. Main waste streams generated by industrial value chains and municipalities: quantities, characteristics, and management challenges, with particular focus on both bio-based and non-bio-based sectors.
5. Biowaste: sources, characteristics, and potential applications. The biowaste biorefinery concept, its role in the sustainable production of bio-based chemicals, materials, and energy, and its relevance within the European bio-based and green economy framework. Production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals from biowaste. Case studies on the production of bio-based fine chemicals, ingredients, materials, polymers, and biofuels from agro-food and municipal waste streams and effluents.
6. Wastewater biorefinery and the circular water economy.
7. Circular blue growth: seas and oceans as sources of alternative and renewable resources.
8. Mining and petroleum waste: main characteristics and innovative valorization pathways.
9. Construction, ceramic, and demolition waste: main characteristics and innovative valorization pathways.

Visits to industrial facilities and/or exhibitions focused on the Circular Economy may also be included as part of the course activities.

Readings/Bibliography

The use of the teaching material provided by the Professors and made available in the virtual platform of the course is suggested.

Teaching methods

Class lectures

Assessment methods

Students’ achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through a final examination, aimed at an analytical evaluation of the “expected learning outcomes” described above.

The examination consists of an oral assessment in the form of a technical discussion on the topics covered during the lectures.

The highest grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the course topics, together with a strong ability to present and discuss them clearly, effectively, and critically.

To achieve a passing grade, students must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, the ability to apply them critically, and an appropriate and comprehensible use of technical terminology.

A failing grade will be assigned if the student demonstrates significant gaps in the knowledge of the fundamental concepts, uses inappropriate scientific terminology, and/or shows deficiencies in the logical analysis and discussion of the topics.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and/or temporary or permanent disabilities are invited to contact the relevant University office as early as possible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) in order to arrange appropriate examination accommodations. Requests for accommodations must be submitted to the lecturer at least 15 days before the examination date. The lecturer will evaluate the suitability of the proposed accommodations, taking into account the educational objectives of the course.

The use of artificial intelligence tools and any other digital tools is strictly prohibited during the examination. Any use of such tools constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Fava