The profile materials and circular economy addresses the unsustainable use of natural resources, which supports human well-being but also depletes nonrenewable resources, damages ecosystems, and generates waste and emissions contributing to climate change
Shifting toward responsible resource management is essential: less material should be used, sustainable materials prioritized, and resources kept in circulation for as long as possible and at their highest value. Innovative solutions are critical to a successful shift, including sustainable materials and designs, efficient recycling and reuse systems, and integration of nature-based solutions.
Planning these solutions must consider both current and future needs while avoiding unintended consequences such as rebound effects and lock-ins. Achieving these goals requires research collaboration across fields (e.g., design and planning, technical, environmental), scales (from products to cities), and sectors (construction, automotive, electronics, and more).
In this respect, the profile “materials and circular economy” serves as a research forum to foster the ideation, exploration, development, and assessment of resource-efficient strategies.
Linked to United Nations Goals of Sustainable Development
This profile is linked to several of the goals of sustainable development, set by the United Nations:
- SDG 9: Sustainable Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: sustainable construction of resilient infrastructure;
- SDG12: Sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Contact me for questions
- Associate Professor, Production Systems, Industrial and Materials Science