Business Opportunities In The Circular Economy

SEN1321 Business Opportunities in the Circular Economy(Senior Instructor: Reino Hyyppa) Economic development over the past century has been reliant on a linear model of "take, make, dispose" that requires a constant and inexpensive supply of materials and energy, which has contributed to climate change, pollution and environmental degradation. Entrepreneurs and business leaders are currently tasked with transitioning to a more sustainable economy, which decouples economic growth from finite resource consumption. A transition to a Circular Economy, which is both restorative and regenerative in design, will reduce our dependence on earth's finite resources. We will be able to optimize the yields from natural resources by circulating products and materials at their highest utility throughout our economy. A circular economy reduces the environmental impacts of global development and could create an economic benefit of $1.8 trillion, in Europe alone, by 2030 through innovation and new job opportunities.
Students in this course will analyze case studies on how circular economies have been successfully implemented into urban economies and businesses. The seminar will incorporate an example of sustainable food production that uses indoor gardening technologies, as well as takeaways from the panel on circular economies at the 2017 Net Impact Conference. Finally, working within teams, students will be challenged to identify an environmental problem facing Babson College and to develop a solution using circular economics.

Course Schedule:
Class 1 - Wednesday, Jan 31
Class 2 - Wednesday, Feb 7
Class 3 - Wednesday, Feb 14
Class 4 - Wednesday, Feb 21
Class 5 - Wednesday, Feb 28
Class 6/Showcase - Wednesday, March 7

Senior-Led Seminars are free, non-credit courses that are taught by seniors at Babson. Upon successful completion of a seminar, students will receive a grade of non-credit pass (NCP) and the course will appear on your transcript at the end of the semester. These courses are made possible by a generous gift of the Donald W. White, Sr. '50 Family.