Microcredential: Introduction to the Circular Economy and Plastics

1. The Urgent Need for Change
2. The Urgent Need for Change: Australia Focus
3. A Solution: Circular Economy
4. Principles and Benefits of the Circular Economy
5. The Global Plastic Problem
6. The Plastics Problem: Australia Focus
7. Global Approaches for a Circular Economy in Plastics
8. National Approaches for a Circular Economy in Plastics in Australia
9. Business Approaches for a Circular Economy in Plastics
10. Consumer Approaches for a Circular Economy in Plastics.

1. Outline the key principles and concepts of the circular economy, including its challenges and benefits
2. Describe the plastic waste problem using up-to-date data, with a focus on the Australian context, including material flows and recovery rates
3. Identify opportunities for transitioning to a circular economy for plastic through policy change, technological innovation, new business models, and behaviour changes
4. Reflect on key circular economy approaches through real-world examples in areas such as packaging design, advanced recovery technologies, and reuse systems.

Multiple Choice Quiz: 90% pass (untimed and unlimited attempts)

Complete this SPW CRC Microcredential and earn a shareable digital badge, issued through My eQuals. Use it on LinkedIn, CVs and professional profiles to demonstrate your expertise and real-world impact.

There are no specific entry requirements. This microcredential is suitable for anyone wishing to gain general knowledge in the topic.

Access is currently exclusive to employees or members of SPW CRC Partner & Associate organisations, as well as PhD and postdoctoral researchers participating in the SPW CRC Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP).

Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest. Those who enrol will be given 12 months to complete this microcredential. View the full terms and conditions.

Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future.

Access is currently exclusive to employees or members of SPW CRC Partner & Associate organisations, as well as PhD and postdoctoral researchers participating in the SPW CRC Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP).

Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest. Those who enrol will be given 12 months to complete this microcredential. View the full terms and conditions.

Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future.

For the Introduction to the Circular Economy and Plastics Microcredential, the Partner & Associate price is $20, and it is free for Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers).

Access to SPW CRC Microcredentials is currently exclusive to Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers). Eligible participants from our Partners and Associates receive a 50% off discount on standard fees. Some microcredentials are also available at no cost.

Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future. Pricing for non-members will be confirmed as courses are released.

Access to SPW CRC Microcredentials is currently exclusive to Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers).

Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest.

Not at the moment. SPW CRC Microcredentials are currently available exclusively to members of the SPW CRC community, including Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers). Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future.

If your organisation is interested in accessing SPW CRC Microcredentials or becoming part of the CRC community, please contact us to discuss partnership or association opportunities.

This microcredential has been developed using evidence-based research by Solving Plastic Waste CRC in collaboration with research and industry experts in the relevant discipline area. Quality assurance of this microcredential is achieved through a governance review process by an Industry Reference Group.

All our microcredentials meet the standards for the National Microcredential Framework.

Skills outlined on the digital badge include: Circular Economy – Key Principles, Building a Circular Mindset, Principles of Plastics and Sustainability, Applying Circular Economy in Business.

The microcredential explores circular business models and packaging redesign efforts that support a circular economy for plastics, featuring real Australian and international case studies from organisations already driving this transition. Five key examples are outlined that support the transition to a more resource-efficient and circular economy for plastic: Product Life Extension, Product-as-a-Service, Sharing Models, Circular Supply, and Resource Recovery.

Examples to demonstrate government action to support the transition to a more circular economy for plastics include the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, the Circular Economy Framework and the National Plastics Plan to reduce plastic waste, increasing recycling, and find alternatives to unnecessary plastics.

This microcredential is designed to align with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) framework for years 7 to 10 by fostering the development of critical knowledge, skills, and understandings outlined in the national curriculum.