102-0338-01L Waste Management and Circular Economy
| Semester | Spring Semester 2024 |
| Lecturers | M. Haupt, R. Warthmann, M. Wiprächtiger |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102-0338-01 G | Waste Management and Circular Economy | 2 hrs |
| M. Haupt, R. Warthmann, M. Wiprächtiger |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | Understanding the fundamental concepts of advanced waste management and circular economy and, in more detail, on biological processes for waste treatment. Application of concepts on various waste streams, including household and industrial waste streams. Insights into environmental aspects of different waste treatment technologies and waste economy. |
| Learning objective | The purpose of this course is to study the fundamental concepts of waste management in Switzerland and globally and learn about new concepts such as Circular Economy. In-depth knowledge on biological processes for waste treatments should be acquired and applied in case studies. Based on this course, you should be able to understand national waste management strategies and related treatment technologies. Treatment plants and valorization concepts for biomass and organic waste should be understood. Furthermore, future designs of waste treatment processes can be evaluated using basic process understanding and knowledge obtained from the current literature. |
| Content | National waste management Waste as a resource Circular Economy Assessment tools for waste management strategies Plastic recycling Organic Wastes in Switzerland Anaerobic Digestion & Biogas Composting process technologies Organic Waste Hygiene Product Quality & Use Waste Economy and environmental aspects |
| Lecture notes | Handouts Exercises based on literature |
| Literature | Deublein, D. and Steinhauser, A. (2011): Biogas from Waste and Renewable Resources: An Introduction. 2nd Edition, Wiley VCH, Weinheim. --> One of the leading books on the subject of anaerobic digestion and biogas, covering all aspects from biochemical and microbial basics to planning and running of biogas plants as well as different technology concepts and biogas upgrade & utilization. Haupt, M., C. Vadenbo, and S. Hellweg. 2017. Do We Have the Right Performance Indicators for the Circular Economy?: Insight into the Swiss Waste Management System. Journal of Industrial Ecology 21(3): 615–627. Haupt, M. and S. Hellweg. 2019. Measuring the environmental sustainability of a circular economy. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators Volumes 1–2, September 2019, 100005. More information about biowaste treatment in Switzerland (www.cvis.ch) and Europe (www.compostnetwork.info and www.ecn-qas.eu) |
| Prerequisites / Notice | There will be complementary exercises going along with some of the lectures, which focus on real life aspects of waste management. Some of the exercises will be solved during lessons whereas others will have to be dealt with as homework. To pass the course and to achieve credits it is required to pass the examination successfully (Mark 4 or higher). The written examination covers all topics of the course and is based on handouts and on selected literature |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 3 credits |
| Examiners | M. Haupt, R. Warthmann, M. Wiprächtiger |
| Type | session examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
| Mode of examination | written 120 minutes |
| Additional information on mode of examination | open book |
| Written aids | open book (only printed materials, no computers/tablets) |
| This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding. | |
Learning materials
| No public learning materials available. | |
| Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
