Circular Design
Help tackle waste at its source
Design plays a crucial role in determining how resources are used, valued and, ultimately, wasted. Inspired by Tim Walker’s 2024/25 Presidential Report 'Turning off the Tap: Why Better Design Can Increase Resource Resilience and Reduce Consumption', this course explores why addressing waste starts not at the end of a product’s life, but at the very beginning - in its design.
Through a blend of engaging video content and interactive eLearning, you’ll discover the principles of circular design and why they matter for the resources and waste management sector. You’ll learn how everyday design decisions influence material flows, environmental impact and resource resilience - and how professionals across the sector can help shift from managing waste to preventing it.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how circular design can reduce consumption, support better use of resources, and enable meaningful, system-wide change.
This course has been developed by CIWM in collaboration with the Circular Economy Institute (CEI).
Course Details
Format: eLearning
Duration: 6.5 hours
Entry requirements: None. However, you will need an individual email address. If purchasing multiple licences, please send candidates' names and email addresses to training@ciwm.co.uk.
CIWM member price: £118.45 (plus VAT)
Non-member price: £147.29 (plus VAT)
About this course
The case for circular design
Understand the challenges created by today’s linear economy and discover how circular design can help reduce waste, protect resources and build greater resilience.
Principles of circular design
Explore the core principles of circular design and learn how they support the creation of products and services that keep materials in use for longer.
Designing for better outcomes
Understand how design decisions influence material flows, waste generation and resource efficiency throughout the product lifecycle.
Influencing change
Recognise opportunities for the resources and waste management sector to influence design decisions and support a more circular economy.
This course is suitable for anyone involved in or entering the resources and waste management sector who wants to better understand how circular design can reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and support the transition to a circular economy.
It is particularly relevant for those working across:
- Local authorities and public sector organisations
- Waste and resource management organisations
- Manufacturing, packaging and product development teams
- Sustainability, policy and strategy functions
- Environmental consultancies and third-sector organisations
- Local, regional and national initiatives supporting circular economy goals
Whether you work at an operational, strategic or policy level, this course will help you understand how design decisions shape resource use and waste generation, and how you can influence positive change.
Course Structure
This interactive eLearning course consists of six units.
- Unit 1: Understanding the problem
- Unit 2: Circular design
- Unit 3: Designing for circularity
- Unit 4: Driving change
- Unit 5: Circular design in action
- Unit 6: The sector’s role
Book your course
CIWM members are eligible for an exclusive 20% discount on this course. Your discount will be applied automatically at checkout when you are logged in and book using your CIWM member details.
eLearning available 0.25 CPD
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