Description
Economics, circular economy and material flow balance. Life cycle approach and material loops. Perspectives of the engineer. Municipal waste and recycling: technologies, incentives, public policies, taxes, subsidies, extended producer responsibility, theoretical models and empirical results, social norms, corruption, city size and density. Remanufacturing: leasing models and contract theory, property rights, cannibalization and secondary markets competition. Eco-design: innovation and the Porter's hypothesis, recyclability, reusability, durability, and planned obsolescence. International aspects: markets and material flows, resource dependence, international agreements, illegal trade and corruption, donations. Green markets: eco-labeling and greenwashing. Selected topics in engineering such as corporate social responsibility, eco-industries, environmental lobbying.