Program Overview

Circular Economy Training

The Circular Economy is a different way of looking at how we use resources, based on three principles:

1. Eliminate pollution and waste.
2. Circulate products and materials at their highest value, for as long as possible.
3. Support restorative and regenerative processes.

What You Will Learn

This training is designed for staff, students, and visitors at the University of Edinburgh. It will help you embed circular economy thinking when you purchase goods or services at the University. You will learn:

• Why the circular economy is important to the University.
• The 10 core circular economy principles.
• How these principles are used across the University.
• Actions you can take to embed circular economy thinking when purchasing at the University.

Importance of Circular Economy

As a staff member or student, you play a big part in deciding what goods, services, and works we purchase. Your sourcing and disposal choices can have positive ripple effects for the University, the natural world, and people in different parts of our supply chains, by being efficient with resources. For the University, embedding circular economy thinking can:

• reduce direct and indirect costs in the short and long term
• support Community Wealth Building locally
• reduce reputational risk and build stronger relationships with a smaller number of suppliers
• ensure continued access to products when supply chains are disrupted.

Procurement Strategy 2030

One of the most impactful changes we can make is to transition towards a circular economy, one that emphasises reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling resources as much as possible. By extending the lifecycle of goods and minimising single-use products, we will not only decrease our reliance on finite resources but also lower carbon emissions and landfill waste.

Training Details

This course is recommended learning for all buyers and requisitioners at the University. It should take around 30 minutes to complete. The training is designed to help staff, students, and visitors at the University of Edinburgh embed circular economy thinking when purchasing goods or services.