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Waste Management and Circular Economy
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:54:37
Abstract
Understanding the fundamental concepts of advanced waste management and circular economy and, in more detail, on biological processes for waste treatment. Application of concepts on various waste streams, including household and industrial waste streams. Insights into environmental aspects of different waste treatment technologies and waste economy.
Objective
The purpose of this course is to study the fundamental concepts of waste management in Switzerland and globally and learn about new concepts such as Circular Economy. In-depth knowledge on biological processes for waste treatments should be acquired and applied in case studies. Based on this course, you should be able to understand national waste management strategies and related treatment technologies. Treatment plants and valorization concepts for biomass and organic waste should be understood. Furthermore, future designs of waste treatment processes can be evaluated using basic process understanding and knowledge obtained from the current literature.
Content
National waste management Waste as a resource Circular Economy Assessment tools for waste management strategies Plastic recycling Thermal waste treatment Emerging technologies Organic Wastes in Switzerland Anaerobic Digestion & Biogas Composting process technologies Organic Waste Hygiene Product Quality & Use Waste Economy and environmental aspects
Resources
Lecture Notes
HandoutsExercises based on literature
Literature
Deublein, D. and Steinhauser, A. (2011): Biogas from Waste and Renewable Resources: An Introduction. 2nd Edition, Wiley VCH, Weinheim. --> One of the leading books on the subject of anaerobic digestion and biogas, covering all aspects from biochemical and microbial basics to planning and running of biogas plants as well as different technology concepts and biogas upgrade & utilization. We will be using selected chapters only in this course. Lohri, C.R., S. Diener, I. Zabaleta, A. Mertenat, and C. Zurbrügg. 2017. Treatment technologies for urban solid biowaste to create value products: a review with focus on low- and middle-income settings. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology 16(1): 81–130. Haupt, M., C. Vadenbo, and S. Hellweg. 2017. Do We Have the Right Performance Indicators for the Circular Economy?: Insight into the Swiss Waste Management System. Journal of Industrial Ecology 21(3): 615–627. Schweizerische Qualitätsrichtlinie 2010 der Branche für Kompost und Gärgut: Link More information about biowaste treatment in Switzerland ( www.cvis.ch ) and Europe (www.compostnetwork.info and www.ecn-qas.eu )
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 120 minutes
- Aids
- open book
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
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| lecture with exercise |
Waste Management and Circular Economy
Die Lehrveranstaltung findet dieses Semester vollständig im ONLINE-Modus statt, für das gesamte Semester.
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2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Elective Modules (For all majors.)
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