Ateneo - UPO

The course introduces the main reference concepts for planning, managing, and achieving objectives in line with the principles of circular economy within organizations.
It covers the notions of methodology and technical standards (ISO, EN, UNI) for the measurement, evaluation, and management of sustainable life cycle (Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, Circularity Assessment) of products, processes, and organizations. The course includes a basic discussion of the main certification schemes adopted in the corporate environment for communicating results and making comparisons.
Students also learn the basic principles for scenario analysis using specific calculation programs for measuring life cycle sustainability and the related databases. Exemplary case studies are illustrated and relevant applications in the industrial field are presented.

The Circular Economy Handbook: Realizing the Circular Advantage, Peter Lacy, Jessica Long, Wesley Spindler, Palgrave Macmillan London, 2020, ISBN: 978-1-349-95970-9

Edition in Italian language:
Il manuale della circular economy: realizzare il vantaggio circolare, Peter Lacy, Jessica Long, Wesley Spindler, Egea, 2021, ISBN: 978-8-823-83819-2

Knowledge and understanding
The students will acquire basic theoretical and applied knowledge and understand the regulatory, methodological, and applicative framework for conducting sustainability assessments aimed at planning, managing, and achieving objectives in line with the principles of circular economy within organizations. They will also develop an awareness of how sustainability and the principles of circular economy are changing business choices and processes.

Applying knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to apply methodological concepts to real cases, analyzing how managerial choices influence business processes, performance, and external communication. Through case study and project work activities, they will learn to connect the design of products and processes to sustainability goals and the principles of the circular economy.
Making judgements
The students will develop the ability to critically evaluate managerial and design decisions, identifying the trade-offs between productive efficiency, organizational management, and the technical performance of products. They will learn to reflect on the ethical and inclusive dimensions of eco-design, considering economic and environmental factors.
Communication skills
The students will improve their ability to effectively communicate environmental analyses and claims, both orally and in writing, using the appropriate technical terminology in English.
Learning skills
The students will enhance their ability for autonomous learning by integrating theoretical reflection with empirical observation and the use of tools for life cycle measurement and analysis.

None

The course uses a blended teaching approach, combining asynchronous lectures (2 CFU) with at-distance synchronous sessions (1 CFU) and in‑person meetings (3 CFU).
The asynchronous activities focus on delivering theoretical knowledge, providing conceptual models, tools, and methodologies to understand the principles of the circular economy.
The synchronous at distance and in presence classroom sessions are oriented toward practical application and critical discussion of the content, through case studies, simulations, and group work.
Students will take part in exercises, collaborative projects, and opportunities for discussion to develop analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, supported by digital platforms and technical software tools that promote interaction and shared learning.
The overall approach aims to combine flexibility and active participation, stimulating the ability to apply theory to real‑world situations, with particular attention to sustainability, the life cycle, and the circular economy.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam will be written and will consist of a series of multiple-choice and open-ended questions on the fundamentals of the course. Each open-ended question will carry the same weight in the assessment. Each multiple-choice question will carry the same weight in the assessment. Open-ended questions will be worth twice as many points as multiple-choice questions and will therefore be crucial for achieving excellence. Incorrect answers will not be penalized. The overall grade will be expressed out of thirty (minimum passing grade: 18). Duration of the written exam: 2 hours. Results will be communicated electronically.
The exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not Successful: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited ability to analyse and synthesise, frequent generalisations and limited critical and judgemental skills, the topics are set out inconsistently and with inappropriate language;
18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalisations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgement, topics are frequently exposed in an incoherent way and with inappropriate/technical language;
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; ability to analyse and synthesise correctly with sufficiently coherent logical argumentation and appropriate/technical language;
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; Good analytical and synthetic skills with arguments expressed in a rigorous manner but with language that is not always appropriate/technical;
27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate/technical language;
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and thorough understanding of topics. Excellent analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner and with appropriate technical language.

Introduction to the foundational principles of the circular economy and the technical regulatory framework of reference (ISO 59000, UNI/TS 11820, and UNI/TR 11821). Presentation of Life Cycle Thinking as a reference approach for sustainability measurements and for the design, evaluation, and monitoring of organizational-level objectives in line with the principles of the circular economy. Reference methodologies for the measurement, evaluation, and management of sustainable life cycles (Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, Circularity Assessment) of products, processes, and organizations. External communication of results through national/international certification schemes adopted in the business sector for communicating results and comparisons: basic discussion of the main certification schemes (Corporate Carbon Footprint, Cradle to Cradle, ReMade in Italy, Environmental Product Declaration). Calculation tools for the measurement, evaluation, and management of the sustainable life cycle. Available and primarily used databases supporting the calculation models. Application case studies.
The subjects addressed in the course are presented with reference to different organisational contexts, including for-profit companies, public companies, and third sector/non-profit organisations.

Knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to identify and explain the theoretical and practical principles of the circular economy, understanding the regulatory and methodological framework of reference (ISO, EN, UNI) for conducting sustainability assessments. They will demonstrate critical awareness of the impact that sustainability and the principles of the circular economy have on strategic choices and business processes, recognizing the connections between organizational objectives and management practices oriented towards circularity.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to translate theoretical models into practical solutions through case studies and project work, developing practical skills to integrate sustainability into strategic and operational decisions. They will demonstrate the ability to connect the design of products and processes to sustainability goals and the principles of the circular economy, using tools for life cycle analysis and assessment.
Making judgments
The students will be able to critically analyze, interpret, and plan sustainable planning activities for processes to be implemented in real-world situations. They will demonstrate the ability to reflect on the ethical and inclusive dimensions of eco-sustainable design, taking economic and environmental factors into account, and will be able to formulate independent assessments to guide strategic and operational choices in real contexts.

Communication skills
The students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively the analyses and results of sustainability assessments and life cycle impacts, both orally and in writing, using the appropriate technical terminology in English. In addition, they will develop collaboration and communication skills in hybrid and virtual work contexts, demonstrating the ability to present complex content in a professional and comprehensible manner.

Learning skills
Female and male students will demonstrate the ability to pursue lifelong learning and to develop a high level of professional adaptability in organizational and production contexts that are constantly evolving.