Course Overview
The Circular Economy fosters business innovation and sustainable well-being. It involves shifting from our take-make-waste linear economy to a circular one with closed loops that maximize the use and value of raw materials and products and employ renewable energy sources. A “strong” Circular Economy capable of operating within ecological limits embraces a service-based model of consumption – sharing, renting and recycling, instead of owning. Materials are not destroyed at end-of-life, but are used to make new products over and over again. In this course, students learn the principles and practices of a Circular Economy drawing from leading innovators in BC and around the world. Students undertake an individual consumption challenge and follow a step-by-step process to develop a Circular Business Strategy. Guest speakers share insights about the challenges and opportunities to advance circularity in their businesses and organizations.
Prerequisite(s)
- Acceptance into the Sustainable Business Advanced Certificate, Sustainable Business Leadership Advanced Diploma, or Bachelor of Business Administration program.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$758.44
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Explain and promote the principles of a strong circular economy (i.e. principles that align with planetary boundaries).
- Describe how ecological economic theory informs the circular economy in practice.
- Apply ecological economic theory to examples of the circular economy in action.
- Explain and evaluate circular economy practices and articulate their differences from business-as-usual.
- Explain and value the role individual/household consumption in a genuinely sustainable circular economy.
- Analyze and identify the constraints and opportunities for implementing circular economy practices in varied contexts.
- Develop and defend recommendations to foster transformative change at varied scales, ranging from the broader economy to specific consumer and business practices.
Effective as of Fall 2020
Related Programs
Circular Economy (BSUS 5220) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Business + Media
- Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration Full-time/Part-time
- Sustainable Business
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Sustainable Business Leadership
Advanced Diploma Full-time
- Sustainable Business Leadership
Advanced Diploma Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of BSUS 5220 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 48202
Dates
Sep 03 - Nov 19 Loading
- CRN 48202
- $758.44 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 03 - Nov 19 | Thu | 17:30 - 19:20 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Reserved for Sustainable Business Leadership (SBL) and BBA students. SBL students are pre-approved to register. BBA students please email sbl@bcit.ca with your ID for departmental approval. If you are not enrolled in either of these programs at BCIT and are seeking special permission to register, please email sbl@bict.ca Course includes a combination of live online (MS Teams) and work-at-your-own-pace online learning each week.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.