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Lesson Plans

Activity 2

The Product Lifecycle Game

Learning Goals:

This module aims to increase participants’ circular economy thinking as well as effective adult teaching techniques for raising awareness and delivery of sustainability and circular economy education.

Topic:

Circular Economy Thinking – Circular Business Models

Time

45 minutes

Learning objectives

The objective of this activity is to increase participants’ understanding and awareness of the circular economy concept, and to inspire participants to apply circular thinking in their personal and professional lives. In particular, the aim of this activity is to build upon the skills developed in slides 10-16 and slides 25-29 of the WP2 Module 1.2 which covers the circular business models and the benefits of implementing a circular business model.

Content / Methodology/Evaluation

Procedure:

  • The facilitator begins by introducing the different circular economy business models and the distinguishing features between the five model types.
  • The facilitator asks each participant to name one example of a product or service that can be classified under one of the five business models. The facilitator prompts the group to discuss the different facets of each of the circular business models using the following prompt questions:
  • How do sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Uber differ from product-as-a-service?
  • Resource recovery, or upcycling, can often see products repurposed for a new life. How does this differ from closed-loop recycling?
  • The facilitator(s) splits the participants into pairs and gives each pair a different product to figure out a way the product can be made more environmentally friendly through the circular economy.
  • The group must be able to use a circular business model other than closed-loop recycling. The aim of the game is to score the most amount of points for finding a viable way to implement the products as a circular business model.
  • The points system is as follows:
  • Product as a service: 5 points
  • Sharing Platform: 4 points
  • Resource Recovery: 3 points
  • Product Life Extension: 2 points
  • Closed-loop Recycling: 1 point
  • The pairs have 15 minutes to score as many points as possible. Once the 15 minutes is over, the facilitator(s) should tally up the points and assign the winner.

Methodology:

  • Prompt questions encourage discussion and analysis amongst participants. As the questions prompt participants to compare and contrast different facets of circular business models, they encourage higher-order thinking skills.
  • By working in pairs, participants are encouraged to build their communication and collaboration skills, allowing them to bounce ideas off each other and come up with creative solutions.
  • By challenging participants to find a way to implement the products using a circular business model other than closed-loop recycling, participants are encouraged to apply their knowledge in a practical context, promoting problem-solving skills.

The activity also covers various levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. It starts with remembering and understanding (identifying examples of business models) and moves into higher levels like analysing (comparing different facets of business models) and creating (developing new environmentally-friendly approaches).

Evaluation:

The facilitator can complete an evaluation of this activity through the following questions:

1. Can you provide an example of a product or service that was classified under a circular business model during the activity? What circular business model was it associated with?

2. In your own opinion, why are some of these circular economy business models more difficult to use than others?

3. In the paired activity, how did your group identify a way to make the assigned product more environmentally friendly through a circular business model? Which circular business model did your group choose, and why?

4. Reflect on the points system used in the game. How did it influence your group's decision-making process in choosing a circular business model for the assigned product? Did the points system align with your understanding of the effectiveness of each business model in promoting circularity?

5. Repurposing existing products and materials for a new or renewed purpose is one of the most important aims of the circular economy. What are the other aims of the circular economy?

Material / Tools / Equipment

  • Flipchart and markers
  • Sticky notes
  • Laptop and projector

Comments

The aim of this activity is to increase participants understanding of how the circular economy models work and builds upon the knowledge imparted during the WP2 presentation.

Jensen, H. (2022, January 27). 5 circular economy business models that offer a competitive advantage. World Economic Forum. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/5-circular-economy-business-models-competitive-advantage/