What goes around comes around, right? What happens when we change from a linear economy to a circular economy?

Before you dive into the rest of this Quest, check out these videos to learn about how we extract resources from the environment, what happens when we buy and use a product, and where to find information for making better choices:

Watch 1: Meet your carbon footprint using virtual reality (Playstation/UN)
Watch 2: What is a circular economy? (European Environment Agency)
Watch 3: Why we must abandon the waste economy (TAT)
Watch 4: How a circular economy can help cities (Ellen MacArthur Foundation)
Watch 5: Product-life extension and sharing - Circular economy business models (TAT)

Because we have a choice in what to buy, we can decide how much we extract from nature, and how much waste we leave behind. Our circular economy does not only refer to recycling. Circular economy is a systemic change that could alter the course of our current linear production and consumption model. It emphasizes enabling sustainable and inclusive growth by using fewer resources and designing waste out of the system. The linear “Take, Make and Dispose” culture has come to the end of the road.

In a circular economy, we can ask ourselves: Could we use the products we have discarded to build new products? Instead of buying a new product, could I have it repaired to prolong its lifespan? Could we share some products - use them only when we need through shared ownership?

Could we create sustainable businesses and improve our well-being by using fewer natural resources?

LEARN + INTERACT

Watch the virtual reality video about sustainable consumption and write a list of all the high carbon lifestyles choices and low carbon choices you make in your typical day. (for ages 10+)

Calculate your Carbon Footprint and learn more about how to make small changes in your everyday lifestyle that can lead to a more sustainable future. (for ages 10+)

Do you know? There are hundreds of thousands of ways to live in a more sustainable manner. (for ages 10+)

Discover how to reduce food, water, and energy waste, and learn about the Circular Economy to extend the life of your stuff. (for all ages)

Witness circular economy in practice with this textile waste to stylish footwear initiative and this plastic waste to modern helmets. Now imagine starting your own waste-to-product center in your community. Learn about some of the machines used to transform plastic and then try this activity to learn more about how to organize a local circular economy. (for ages 10+)

Find out how to properly dispose of e-waste. Do you have something that is not working at home? Figure out what you can do– reuse, repair, resale, or correct disposal. Do you know that international standards can help to reduce and better manage e-waste? What can be easily taken apart, can be easily repaired! Next time you buy you can choose things that can be easily repaired! (for ages 12+)

Ask your parents and grandparents about one thing that they used to share or reuse that is now disposable or not shared that much today. (for all ages)

ACT +  SHARE

Make your own circular economy invention. Think like a circular economy designer, watch this Ecolabel video to get some ideas about what to keep in mind while designing your product. (for ages 8+) 

Pledge to reduce your consumption of single use plastic! What else can you do at home to consume more sustainably? Eat less meat? Compost? Recycle? Reuse? When you’re back in school mount a campaign to make sure there is recycling, some vegetarian dish options, and compostable or reusable cutlery and plates in the cafeteria. (for all ages)

Gift more sustainably. For your next birthday, ask your friends and family to give you only experiences, like movie vouchers, or secondhand items. Imagine what could be a perfect gift to your best friend. Does it have to be the latest mobile phones or tablets, or could it be something else? (for all ages)

WANT MORE?

Share: Literally share! Think about the things you have at home that you can share with your friends, and host swap parties: toys, games, clothes, sports equipment – the list is endless! (for all ages)

Participate: Become an expert! Join a Massive Open Online Course on the sustainable consumption of electronics to learn all you need to know! (for ages 14+)

Rethink: What disposable items can become reusable? Watch a video about reusable female hygiene products. (for ages 12+)

Resources for Parents and Educators:

Learn more about the circular economy by checking out the playlists here and here.

Discover how to create a circular vision for electronics and why it matters. 

This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts:
Janet Salem, UN Environment Programme
Mikko Halonen, Gaia Consulting Ltd
Päivi Kosunen, Economy and youth TAT
Corrado Topi, Hausos and SEI
Cristina Bueti, International Telecommunication Union
Chris Ip, International Telecommunication Union
Reyna Ubeda, International Telecommunication Union