# Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy

**Source**: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/sustainable-packaging-in-a-circular-economy/
**Parent**: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/product-and-service-design/

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- Explain the key business strategies that enable sustainable systems.
- Identify opportunities and challenges when incorporating bio-based materials into products.
- Examine how frontrunner companies implement sustainable design principles.
- Demonstrate how circular principles can be integrated into packaging design.

Free

- Type
  Course
- Location
  Online
- Pacing
  Starts anytime / Self-paced
- Length

  For instructor paced courses this is the length of the course.

  For self-paced courses this is the length of the course if you spend the amount of time per week as specified. You're free to go faster or slower as you see fit.

  6 Weeks
- Effort
  3 - 4 Hours per week

[Enroll on edX](https://www.edx.org/learn/circular-economy/delft-university-of-technology-sustainable-packaging-in-a-circular-economy)

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- [Sustainable Packaging](https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/sustainable-packaging/)

- [Conny Bakker](https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/instructors/conny-bakker/)
- [Ruud Balkenende](https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/instructors/ruud-balkenende/)

- Overview

  **Learn how to apply the principles of the circular economy to sustainable packaging systems.**

  It has become almost impossible to imagine what our lives would be like without the many benefits of packaging - just think about the different packaging and single-use items you use on a daily basis. Yet as our global population grows in size and affluence, both our collective demand for packaging materials and the waste we generate as a result will increase dramatically.

  Currently, large amounts of packaging waste escape formal collection and recycling systems and eventually end up polluting the environment. Moreover, their material value is forever lost to the economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that uncollected plastic packaging waste alone is worth somewhere between 80 to 120 billion dollars a year.

  So how can we improve packaging systems in order to capture this wasted potential? Clearly, the way we currently design, recover, and reuse packaging urgently needs a rethink!

  In this course, you will learn about the design of sustainable packaging systems. To do so we will explore the design and business strategies of the circular economy.

  Contrary to our current industrial model, which extracts, uses and ultimately disposes of resources, a circular economy is regenerative by design. This means that products and services are reimagined from a systems perspective in order to minimize waste, maximize positive economic, environmental and social impacts, and keep resources locked in a cycle of restoration.

  This course is for you if you are interested in learning about sustainable packaging design. You'll also benefit if you are a professional in the packaging industry and want to learn how to find circular opportunities in your work. Students - particularly in design - will be able to broaden their knowledge of circular design and business strategies.

  *"Over 50 employees of Coty participated in the online course "Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy" offered by TU Delft. This resulted in an increased understanding in our teams of sustainability and how it can further be applied to our business. Through this course we will stimulate our employees to participate in and contribute with even more confidence to discussions on sustainable packaging within our company".* - **Vincent Delavenne, Vice-Président Packaging, Coty Luxury**\
- Qualifications

  ##### Chartered Engineering Competences

  All our online courses and programs have been matched to the competences determined by [KIVI’s Competence Structure](https://charteredengineer.nl/competence-structure/), a common frame of reference for everyone, across all disciplines, levels and roles.

  These competences apply to this course:

  - A1: Extend your theoretical knowledge of new and advancing technologies.
  - E3: Undertake engineering activities in a way that contributes to sustainable development and a circular economy.
- Admission

  This is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that runs on edX.

  ##### Prerequisites

  Intended for students and professionals with basic knowledge of the circular economy with an interest in packaging, or students and professionals experienced in packaging looking for circular opportunities.

  If you want to learn the basics of a Circular Economy we invite you to take a look at the Circular Economy: An introduction MOOC before the start of this course.

- Course format: MOOC

  **This course is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)**. Our MOOCs are delivered on edX.org and are open to all. They include video lectures, readings, assignments, and community discussions. Content is free, with optional certificates and additional exercises available for a fee.

## What our learners say about us

- > I now feel more confident in designing eco-friendly packaging solutions.
  >
  >
  > Agung Permana Sidik - Indonesia

  [Read the full story](https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/learner-stories/agung-permana-sidik/)
- > This course has been transformative for my potential career transition into circular economy packaging.
  >
  >
  > Kim Adams - United Kingdom

  [Read the full story](https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/learner-stories/kim-adams/)
- > Now I am able to propose many more ideas and effectively weigh the pros and cons of each circular strategy.
  >
  >
  > Andrea Cornejo - Perú

  [Read the full story](https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/learner-stories/andrea-cornejo/)