The
course “Circular Economy and Waste Valorization” explores the transition from a
traditional “take–make–dispose” economy to a more sustainable and regenerative
system where waste is regarded as a valuable resource. It focuses on the
circular economy, which aims to keep materials and products in use for as long
as possible, recover and regenerate materials at the end of their life cycle,
and minimize waste generation. It also introduces the concept of waste
valorization, which involves converting waste or residues into valuable outputs
such as materials, energy, or inputs for other processes. Overall, the course
examines both the why (the need and benefits) and the how
(technologies, processes, business models, and policies) of transforming
“waste” into “value” within the framework of the circular economy.
By the end of the course, learners will
be able to:
Significance
of the Course
Relevance and Opportunities for
Learners and Professionals
·
Growing Importance:
With the global emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and waste
management, expertise in circular economy and waste valorization has become
highly valuable.
·
Career and
Entrepreneurship Prospects: The course opens
pathways to careers in waste-to-value enterprises, consultancy, government
policy divisions, corporate sustainability, and environmental engineering
sectors, contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat by fostering self-reliance
and innovation in sustainable industries.
·
National Context and
Societal Impact: In the context of Viksit
Bharat@2047, where clean technologies and responsible resource management
are central to national growth, this course directly supports India’s mission
toward a cleaner, circular, and resilient economy. It also aligns with the Swachhata
Abhiyan, promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling for environmental
well-being.
| Course Status : | Upcoming |
| Course Type : | |
| Language for course content : | English |
| Duration : | 12 weeks |
| Category : |
|
| Credit Points : | 3 |
| Level : | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date : | 26 Jan 2026 |
| End Date : | 30 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends : | 28 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date : | |
| Translation Languages : | English |
| NCrF Level : | 4.5 — 8.0 |
| Industry Details : | Environmental |
|
swayam@nitttrc.edu.in, swayam@nitttrc.ac.in
Week 1:
Introduction to Circular Economy Concepts
Week 2:
Principles and Models of Circular Economy
Week 3:
Waste Generation, Classification, and Management Systems
Week 4:
Strategies for Resource Efficiency and Waste Minimization
Week 5:
Technologies for Waste Valorization
Week 6:
Industrial Symbiosis and Closed-Loop Systems
Week 7:
Circular Business Models and Innovation
Week 8:
Policy, Regulation, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Week 9:
Circular Supply Chains and Life Cycle Assessment
Week 10:
Entrepreneurship and Financing in Waste Valorization
Week 11:
Case Studies on Successful Circular Economy Initiatives
Week 12: Future Directions and Opportunities in
Circular Economy
1.
Chen, L., Zhao, C., Yuan, X., Zhang, H., Senanayake, M., Mašek, O., He,
C., & Ok, Y. S. (2025). Sustainable thermochemical plastic valorization
towards a circular economy: a critical review. Green Chemistry, 27, 4867–4897. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC06070A
2.
Banu, R. B. J., & Godvin Sharmila, V. (2023). A systematic review on
plastic waste conversion for a circular economy: Recent trends and emerging
technologies. Catalysis Science & Technology, 13, 2291-2302. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CY02066A
3.
Kathi, S., Singh, S., Yadav, R., Singh, A. N., & Mahmoud, A. E. D.
(2023). Wastewater and sludge valorisation: A novel approach for treatment and
resource recovery to achieve circular economy concept. Frontiers in Chemical
Engineering, 5, Article 1129783. https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2023.1129783
4. Sillanpää, M., & Ncibi,
C. (2019). The circular economy: Case studies about the transition from the
linear economy (1st ed.). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2017-0-02916-6
5. Podleisek, A., Luban, K.,
& Hänggi, R. (Eds.). (2025). Circular Economy: The Next Level of Company
Success: A Comprehensive Study on How to Create Value and Improve Operational
Excellence Through Circularity. Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-66406-9
6.
Kumar, M. A., Moradeeya, P. G., Bharath, K. M., Mary, P. J. D., &
Giridharan, K. S. (2024). Pyrolytic conversion of heterogenic natural waste
biomass from rural communities with concomitant valorization. In G. Baskar, V.
Ashokkumar, S. L. Rokhum, & V. S. Moholkar (Eds.), Circular bioeconomy
perspectives in sustainable bioenergy production (pp. 259-287). Springer
Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-2523-6_11
Dr. M. Anil Kumar
is an Associate Professor at the Department of Rural and
Entrepreneurship Development, National Institute of Technical Teachers
Training and Research (NITTTR), Chennai, where he contributes extensively to
advancing technical teacher education, rural development, and
entrepreneurship-based capacity building. With more than 13 years of multidisciplinary
experience spanning academia, R&D laboratories, and industrial
environmental consulting. He is recognized for his expertise in entrepreneurship,
environmental engineering, and sustainable technologies, with work
spanning bioremediation, waste valorization, and environmental compliance.
Prior to joining
NITTTR, Dr. Anil Kumar worked as a Senior Scientist at CSIR–Central
Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, and
served as an Honorary Assistant Professor at the Academy of
Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) from 2015 to 2023. A
graduate of Anna University, he holds a B.Tech. in
Biotechnology, Masters in Environmental Science & Technology,
and a doctorate in Technology. His professional portfolio
includes key contributions in diverse industrial clusters, where
he served as a NABET-recognized EIA Coordinator for Common
Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and Functional Area Expert
in Water Pollution, Waste Management, and Hazard
Assessment.
At NITTTR Chennai, he
plays an active role in institutional initiatives related to SWAYAM MOOCs,
faculty development programmes, research supervision,
and rural entrepreneurship promotion. Dr. Anil Kumar also
coordinates a SWAYAM MOOC on Blue Economy Entrepreneurship, a
niche area that aligns with the mandate of self-sufficiency and
building resilient coastal communities.
His work contributes
significantly to national goals in environmental sustainability, rural
innovation, and skill development. His earlier
involvement in the nationwide Jigyasa Programme, a visionary
initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India (2016–2023), highlights his
commitment to science outreach, student engagement,
and HRD in the S&T ecosystem.
A prolific researcher,
Dr. Anil Kumar has authored 70+ publications in SCI/Scopus
listed journals and contributed 15 book chapters with
international publishers. His research spans environmental management,
bioremediation, nanotechnology, biomass
valorization, analytical method development, and sustainable
process design. Dr. Anil Kumar’s research work has gained widespread
attention with citations grossing over 1,880 and an h-index of 22.
He is supervising four doctoral researchers and has co-supervised one Ph.D. scholar
and guided more than 20 UG/PG dissertations, and contributed exhaustively to
the sponsored research and consultancy projects. His academic influence extends
through editorial roles, including serving as Guest Editor for Journal
of Hazardous Materials Advances (Elsevier), and as an invited reviewer for
many reputed journals.
He continues to serve on doctoral advisory committees across leading institutions such as AcSIR, NIT, Anna University, Bharathiar University, Bharathidasan University, and SRM University. His active memberships in professional bodies, invited lectures, and collaborations with industry and government organizations reflect his commitment to environmental stewardship, rural development, and technological innovation. Through his research, teaching, and outreach, Dr. Anil Kumar is contributing to national capacity building, sustainable development, and the creation of resilient rural and industrial ecosystems in India.
"The SWAYAM Course Enrolment and learning is free. However, to obtain a certificate, the learner must register and take the proctored exam in person at one of the designated exam centres. The registration URL will be announced by NTA once the registration form becomes available. To receive the certification, you need to complete the online registration form and pay the examination fee. Additional details, including any updates, will be provided upon the publication of the exam registration form. For more information about the exam locations and the terms associated with completing the form, please refer to the form itself."
Grading Policy:
- Internal Assignment Score: This accounts for 30% of the final grade and is calculated based on the average of the best three assignments out of all the assignments given in the course.
- Final Proctored Exam Score: This makes up 70% of the final grade and is derived from the proctored exam score out of 100.
- Final Score: The final score is the sum of the average assignment score and the exam score.
Eligibility for Certification:
- To qualify for a certificate, you must achieve an average assignment score of at least 10 out of 30, and an exam score of at least 30 out of 70. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >=40/100.
Certificate Details:
- The certificate will include your name, photograph, roll number, and the percentage score from the final exam. It will also feature the logos of the Ministry of Education, SWAYAM, and NITTTR.
- Certificate Format: Only electronic certificates (e-certificates) will be issued; hard copies will not be dispatched.
Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy Learning.
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