Institution: Arizona State University
Focus Area: Three-pronged strategy; Education; Ethical Circular EconomyCircular EconomyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. program, Practical collaboration; implementing Circular Economy solutions in regional communities, RISN - Resource Innovation and Solutions Network
Expertise: Systems-based approaches to Ethical Circular Economy Implementation, Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Urban Systems, Food Systems and Security, Water, Energy, Biomimicry, Solid and Water Waste Systems, Sustainable Supply Chains
Key projects:
Introduction to The Ethical Circular Economy: A seven week, fully accredited online course in collaboration with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. The course introduces students to CE principles and implementation strategies; application of biomimicry-based technology development and product design principles; sustainable supply chain management practices; applied to the built environment as well as product/service supply chains, and assessed against the Sustainable Development Goals using the Net Positive Assessment framework.
Executive Certificate in the Ethical Circular Economy A CE certification programme for professionals, a focused one-day workshop that includes mapping exercises on a take-make-waste linear economylinear economyAn economy in which finite resources are extracted to make products that are used - generally not to their full potential - and then thrown away ('take-make-waste')., adapting to a circular economy model and identifying additional stakeholders, gatekeepers, policies and strategies.
ASU collaborates with local partners in the greater Phoenix area, including a unique CE100 Pioneer University/Municipality partnership with the City of Phoenix, to research, develop and implement Circular Economy solutions that benefit regional communities, improve the environment and benefit the economy through job development.
Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN) A four year, $2million programme between Phoenix City Council and the Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives at the ASU Wrigley Institute, to establish, manage and operate advances in integrated resource management through a global network of public and private partners using collaboration, research, innovation and application of technologies to create economic value, driving a sustainable circular economy. RISN recruits and connects with innovators and organizations looking to create, implement or enhance sustainability solutions through three portals: becoming a RISN partner, establishing a Global Network hub or proposing a project to be developed through the network. Developing solutions in collaboration with RISN’s public and private partners provides access to research and expertise from the US’s leading sustainability education institution, feedstock and facility resources from one of the US’s largest and most ambitious municipalities and shared knowledge from like-minded partners.
Connect with: Dr. Rajesh Buch Director, Sustainability Practice, International Development, Arizona State University rbuch@asu.edu
Find out more:
Arizona State University, home to first comprehensive School of Sustainability in the U.S. and twice recognised as the most innovative school in the nation by US News and World Report, approaches Circular Economy through a three-pronged strategy: in education, in practice and through RISN, a collaborative global network of public & private partners.
Through its charter, ASU is charged to assume ‘fundamental responsibility for the economic, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.’ To meet this directive, adopting a Circular Economy approach to education, research and practice was not only natural but essential. We are fortunate to have projects partners globally who have joined ASU to drive impactful change.
Reimagine Phoenix, the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network, and the Resource Innovation Campus: A Collaboration Platform for the Circular Economy
Re-Imagining Collaboration: How One City is Transforming Trash into Treasure
Regional Circular Organic Resource System
Haarlemmermeer Beyond Sustainability (https://sustainability.asu.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/programs/solutionsservices/project-hbs/)
