Circular economy and LCA
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain circular economy and LCA using examples.
Key learning points
- A linear economy represents 'cradle to grave' product life cycle.
- Circular economy represents 'cradle to cradle' product life cycle.
- LCA assesses the environmental impact at every stage of a product's life cycle with the aim to reduce the impact.
Keywords
Circular economy - an economic system where products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste
Life cycle assessment (LCA) - assesses the environmental impact at every stage of a product’s lifecycle
Carbon emissions - volume of carbon produced contributing to global warming
Obsolete - a product that is no longer used or useful
Design decisions - a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem
Common misconception
Environmental impact only occurs when products are disposed of.
Circular economy and LCA consider the environmental impact at every single stage of a product's life cycle.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Successful design opportunities ...
Q2.Design is when you only consider one possibility and then sometimes miss an even better solution.
Q3.What does LCA stand for?
Q4.Put the stages of a linear economy in order.
Q5.What is an obsolete product?
Q6.Identify the examples of products that follow a linear economy.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which stages of a circular economy are the key differences when compared to a linear economy?
Q2.Identify the examples of products that follow a circular economy.
Q3.What design decisions could be made to reduce the environmental impact at the distribution stage of the product’s life cycle?
Q4.Which stage of the circular economy comes after 'product in use' and before 'recycling'?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Circular economy and LCA, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Circular economy and LCA, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the The circular economy: developing countries unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.