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Lesson 1 of 8
  • Year 9

Linear versus circular economy

I can identify linear and circular economies using product examples.

Lesson 1 of 8
New
New
  • Year 9

Linear versus circular economy

I can identify linear and circular economies using product examples.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A linear economy represents 'cradle to grave' product life cycle.
  2. Circular economy represents 'cradle to cradle' product life cycle.

Keywords

  • Linear economy - products are often used briefly, become obsolete, and become waste

  • Circular economy - products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste

  • Obsolete - a product that is no longer used or useful

Common misconception

Circular economy only means recycling.

The circular economy can be defined as products and materials being kept in circulation and not becoming waste. Design decisions within circular economy can be generated through consideration of 6 Rs: recycle, reuse, rethink, refuse, repair, reduce.


To help you plan your year 9 design and technology lesson on: Linear versus circular economy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Keep hold of any products that excessively use packaging, such as Easter eggs. Have a look around the school/ home for products that 'grow' with the user as examples of sustainable products, such as adjustable chairs/ products.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
___________ converts waste into reusable materials.

Correct answer: Recycling
Reusing
Refusing
Reducing
Rethinking

Q2.
A product’s life cycle when following a linear economy can be defined as ...

Correct answer: cradle to grave.
cradle to cradle.
grave to cradle.
linear to circular.

Q3.
A product’s life cycle when following a circular economy can be defined as ...

cradle to grave.
Correct answer: cradle to cradle.
grave to cradle.
linear to circular.

Q4.
What is the common meaning for this symbol?

An image in a quiz
Reuse
Correct answer: Recycle
Refuse
Rethink

Q5.
The vast majority of waste in the UK is incinerated or ends up in ...

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: landfill, land fill

Q6.
The 6Rs are refuse, repair, refuse, recycle ...

Correct answer: reduce
Correct answer: rethink
redesign
remake
Q4 (c) Recycle by BnB Studio from https://thenounproject.com/icon/recycle-7836473/ (CC BY 3.0)

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which are examples of products that follow a linear economy?

Correct answer: single-use coffee cup
bags for life
Correct answer: fast fashion
reusable nappies

Q2.
Which are examples of products that follow a circular economy.

Correct answer: clothing made from recycled polymer bottles
Correct answer: re-rechargeable batteries
disposable nappy
single use straws

Q3.
Match the term to the design decision.

Correct Answer:Reuse,designing parts that could be reused or products that grow

designing parts that could be reused or products that grow

Correct Answer:Repair,designing accessible compartments for batteries

designing accessible compartments for batteries

Correct Answer:Refuse,designing products that will stand the test of time

designing products that will stand the test of time

Correct Answer:Recycle,designing parts to be easily dismantled

designing parts to be easily dismantled

Correct Answer:Reduce,designing products with less packaging

designing products with less packaging

Correct Answer:Rethink,designing using environmentally friendly plastics such as biopol

designing using environmentally friendly plastics such as biopol

Q4.
The circular economy can be defined as an system where products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste.

Correct Answer: economic