Engaging Generation Z in the Circular Economy: Role of Academia" dives into the intersection of the circular economy's principles and the values of Generation Z. As the circular economy model gains traction as a sustainable alternative to our traditional linear model, there's an opportunity to harness the passion, tech-savviness, and drive for systemic change found in Gen Z. This presentation elucidates the role academia can play in bridging this gap, highlighting the benefits of engaging this generation and providing tangible recommendations for institutions to effectively do so. From the importance of hands-on experience to the integration of tech-driven solutions, explore how we can empower Generation Z to lead the charge towards a more circular, sustainable future.

1. E N G A G I N G
G E N E R AT I O N Z
I N T H E
C I R C U L A R
E C O N O M Y
R O L E O F A C A D E M I A

2. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

3. S I G N I F I C A N C E
P O T E N T I A L M O D E L F O R
A C H I E V I N G S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y .

4. R E L E VA N C E
G E N - Z S E E S T H I S A S A N
O P P O R T U N I T Y T O D R I V E
C H A N G E .

5. W H Y
G E N E R AT I O N
Z ?

6. VA L U E S
A L I G N M E N T
C I R C U L A R E C O N O M Y R E S O N A T E S W I T H
G E N - Z ' S C O R E V A L U E S .

7. S Y S T E M I C
C H A N G E
G E N - Z S E E K S O V E R A R C H I N G
T R A N S F O R M A T I O N S I N
S Y S T E M S F O R A
S U S T A I N A B L E F U T U R E .

8. T E C H A F F I N I T Y
G E N Z ' S K E E N I N T E R E S T I N
T E C H N O L O G Y C A N B O O S T
I N N O V A T I V E C I R C U L A R
S O L U T I O N S .

9. T H E R O L E
O F
A C A D E M I A

10. E Q U I P G E N - Z W I T H K N O W L E D G E & S K I L L S F O R C I R C U L A R P R I N C I P L E S .
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

11. E N G A G E M E N T
E F F E C T I V E P R O G R A M S A N D P E R S P E C T I V E S
E N H A N C E G E N - Z I N V O L V E M E N T .

12. P R A C T I C A L E X P O S U R E
A C A D E M I A C A N P R O V I D E H A N D S - O N
E X P E R I E N C E F O R G E N - Z O N C I R C U L A R I T Y .

13. B E N E F I T S
O F
E N G A G I N G
G E N - Z
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

14. S K I L L
D E V E L O P M E
N T
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Interdisciplinary problem-solving

15. P R A C T I C A L E X P E R I E N C E
Lifecycle analysis Design for the
environment
Supply chain
transparency

16. T E C H &
C I R C U L A R I T Y
D I G I T A L I Z A T I O N E N A B L E S
C I R C U L A R R E S O U R C E
F L O W S .

17. E M P O W E R M E N T
• Gen Z can make sustainable behaviors impactful, like
upcycling.
•

18. R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
F O R A C A D E M I A

19. C O U R S E W O R K
Offer dedicated courses like MSc in Circular Economy.
Integrate modules across various fields: business,
engineering, design, and sustainability.

20. C O L L A B O R AT I V E
L E A R N I N G
E M P H A S I Z E T H E I M P O R T A N C E O F M U L T I D I S C I P L I N A R Y
P R O J E C T S F O R A H O L I S T I C V I E W .

21. I N D U S T R Y T I E S
Foster collaborations: Capstone projects with circular
businesses.
Expose students to circular career pathways: Covering
business models, policy, and innovation.

23. P A C E ' S
R E C Y C L E D
D E N I M
I N S U L A T I O N

24. D E L L ' S
C O M P U T E R
TA K E B A C K
P R O G R A M
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

25. E N G A G I N G
G E N E R AT I O
N - Z
D I R E C T LY
Participation: Involve Gen-Z in
shaping the curriculum for circular
education.
Customization: Build syllabi
based on Gen-Z interests and
future goals.
Feedback Loop: Regularly
update course content based on
student feedback and industry
trends.

26. C O N V E R G E N C E
H I G H L I G H T T H E M E L D I N G O F
C I R C U L A R E C O N O M Y C O N C E P T S
W I T H G E N Z ' S A T T R I B U T E S .

27. H O L I S T I C
A P P R O A C H
R E I T E R A T E T H E N E E D F O R
A C A D E M I A T O P R O V I D E H A N D S -
O N , E X P E R I E N T I A L L E A R N I N G .

28. C A L L T O
A C T I O N
E N C O U R A G E E D U C A T O R S T O
I N T E G R A T E C I R C U I T Y I N T O
C U R R I C U L U M S A C T I V E L Y .