The Circular Economy Resource Package from DATTA Vic & Sustainability Victoria
Sustainability is at the heart of our entire learning area, from the early years right through to VCE PD&T and Systems Engineering.
In P-10, students create design solutions for a sustainable future. In VCE Systems, they develop systems engineering processes that improve environmental sustainability. And in the new VCE PD&T , the circular economy and ethical product design are key concepts that underpin the entire study design.
In 2024, DATTA Vic and Sustainability Victoria teamed up on a series of webinars exploring the Circular Economy. With additional support from Replas, we delivered four online sessions:- What is the Circular Economy?
- The Plastics Industry x the Circular Economy
- The Fashion Industry x the Circular Economy
- The Electronics Industry x the Circular Economy
The following recordings and slides are great both for teacher professional learning and as student resources.
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What is the Circular Economy?
Florian van den Corput is the Senior Advisor on Circular Economy at Sustainability Victoria, who has previously worked as an Industrial Design Engineer. In this online workshop for members, Florian gives an in-depth explanation about the concept of a Circular Economy, one of the six sustainability frameworks in the VCE Product Design and Technologies study design. He explores the role of design in securing a sustainable future for our country, and offers several inspiring case studies from Australia and across the globe. |
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| The Plastics Industry x the Circular Economy The history of Replas goes back over 30 years, when the Muller brothers from Ballarat set up their bottle and cardboard recycling business. Replas now produces a range of over 200 products and has grown to become Australia’s leading mix plastic product manufacturers, boasting a range of state-of-the-art machinery tended by the latest robotic technology. Victoria Territoty Manager Chris Smith shares the history of the company, the science behind working with recycled plastics and the innovative products they develop. You'll learn why Replas is a fantastic example of the circular economy and the drive to eliminate plastic waste that we are lucky to have right here in our own back yard! |
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The Fashion Industry x the Circular Economy
Sustainability Victoria's Brijesh Parmer gives an in-depth explanation about the concept of a Circular Economy within the fashion industry, one of the six sustainability frameworks/strategies in the Product Design and Technologies study design. This session covers issues about changing behaviours within the industry, social issues that impact on the environment, economy and people who work in the industry, and solutions that currently exist. This session is relevant to all Design and Technologies teachers and will help unpack what a circular economy is and how it is applied to product design. |
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| The Electronics Industry x the Circular Economy Join Sustainability Victoria's Brijesh Parmar, as he explores the concept of a Circular Economy with the electronics industry - key knowledge for Design & Technologies and VCE Systems Engineering. You'll hear about how the societal issue of waste is impacting people and planet, learn strategies to change behaviours and see positive examples of electronics companies who are adopting circular economy principles and working towards a sustainable and ethical future. This session is relevant to all Design and Technologies teachers and will help you and your students understand what a circular economy is and how it is applied to engineering and systems principles and design. |
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| Thank you to Sustainability Victoria and Replas for their invaluable support for this program, and for DATTA Vic members. |
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MORE RESOURCES ON THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
| The Circular Classroom is an interactive educational toolkit for upper secondary high school educators and students to integrate circular thinking into the classroom. The website includes a range of introductory videos, downloadable workbooks and the educator support materials for in-class planning. The aim is to help young people discover the power of systems thinking, learn all about sustainability, and enhance their creative problem solving skills to help build the circular economy. This program was co-created by teachers and students. |
| The Ellen MacArthur Foundation The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a a charity committed to creating a circular economy, which is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. It’s an economic system that delivers better outcomes for people, and the environment. They are the world's leading circular economy network, and they create resources, publications and tools that help set effective policies, find new ways to do business and design better products. |
| The Australian Circular Economy Hub The ACE Hub is committed to facilitating and accelerating the transition to a circular economy in Australia. Becoming a circular economy will require the action and commitment from all individuals in our community, government and businesses.The ACE Hub’s key role is to establish the network that will support collaboration and knowledge-sharing so that all those active in circularity in Australia can optimise their collective impact. Their site has resources which cater to this wide range of education and training needs and offer a jumping off point for your circular economy learning journey. |
| Meet the Maker - Ashley Eriksmoen This resource from the NGV is an introduction to the work of Ashley Eriksmoen. She is a designer and artist living in Canberra who uses discarded wood furniture in unexpected ways to create new functional objects. This resource features a video of Eriksmoen discussing her work Fell within the context of sustainability, furniture design and the circular economy. It also includes discussion questions which you can use in classroom to unpack the design process and circularity. |
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