CORE CONCEPTS
What is the primary goal of a circular economy model?
A. To increase the speed of resource extraction and production
B. To separate economic growth from resource consumption and waste generation
C. To shift entirely to renewable energy sources
D. To rely more on digital services and reduce the need for physical goods
B. To separate economic growth from resource consumption and waste generation
A company that offers products as a service (e.g., renting instead of selling) is applying:
A. Ownership economy
B. Leasing economy
C. Product-as-a-service model
D. Disposable economy
C. Product-as-a-service model
(Product-as-a-service model is designed around long-term use. Here, companies offer the product as a service with the intent to maintain, repair, upgrade, and reuse the product for extended periods. The business model encourages the company to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of the product. This aligns closely with circular economy principles where the goal is to extend the product's life and reduce waste, ensuring it gets reused or recycled at the end. )
Which material is 100% recyclable without loss of quality?
A. Plastic
B. Glass
C. Aluminium
D. Paper
C. Aluminium
What is the primary goal of implementing a "circular city" model?
A. To optimise resource flows by integrating waste, water, energy, and materials into closed-loop systems at the local level
B. To balance economic growth with resource regeneration, aiming for long-term environmental and social sustainability
C. To focus solely on technological innovation without considering the impact of resource extraction
D. To centralise decision-making in large-scale urban projects without empowering local communities or ecosystems
A. To optimise resource flows by integrating waste, water, energy, and materials into closed-loop systems at the local level
Which country is often cited as a major player in the early adoption of circular economy principles?
A. China
B. Netherlands
C. Canada
D. India
B. Netherlands
Which of these best fits the phrase "closing the loop"?
A. Burning waste for energy
B. Burying waste in landfills
C. Keeping materials in continuous use
D. Speeding up production cycles
C. Keeping materials in continuous use
Which strategy best aligns with the principles of a sharing economy?
A. Prioritising personal ownership and exclusivity of resources
B. Enabling access to assets through collaborative consumption and mutual exchange
C. Encouraging the disposal of shared items to reduce waste
D. Focusing on the acquisition of high-value, status-symbol products
B. Enabling access to assets through collaborative consumption and mutual exchange
Which of the following best defines "downcycling"?
A. Improving quality during recycling
B. Recycling into a product of lower quality
C. Turning waste into energy
D. Exporting waste for disposal
B. Recycling into a product of lower quality
Which European city is often seen as a leader in circular economy practices?
A. Paris
B. Amsterdam
C. Rome
D. Athens
B. Amsterdam
The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan mainly aims to:
A. Promote the development of alternative energy sources while reducing material waste
B. Boost recycling, reuse, and sustainable design
C. Encourage a shift towards more disposable consumer goods to stimulate the economy
D. Support the use of more efficient waste-to-energy systems to replace traditional recycling
B. Boost recycling, reuse, and sustainable design
The idea of designing products to be easily taken apart is known as:
A. Modular design
B. Organic architecture
C. Disposable planning
D. Linear engineering
A. Modular design
In a circular economy, how is revenue typically generated differently?
A. By selling higher volumes of products
B. Through long-term service agreements
C. By encouraging short product life spans
D. By decreasing customer retention
B. Through long-term service agreements
Which plastic type is typically the easiest to recycle?
A. PVC
B. PET
C. LDPE
D. Polystyrene
B. PET
Urban mining refers to:
A. Digging underground for minerals
B. Extracting valuable materials from buildings and electronic waste
C. Removing forests for city expansion
D. Creating underground recycling centres
B. Extracting valuable materials from buildings and electronic waste
Which sector has the biggest potential for circular transformation according to many experts?
A. Finance
B. Agriculture
C. Construction
D. Fashion
C. Construction
In the circular economy, what does the principle of “design out waste” mainly focus on?
A. Finding new places to bury waste
B. Creating products that generate no waste during their lifecycle
C. Building larger landfills for future use
D. Burning waste efficiently to generate energy
B. Creating products that generate no waste during their lifecycle
What is "servitisation" in circular business models?
A. Turning physical products into services
B. Selling marketing services separately
C. Advertising recycled products
D. Reducing after-sales service
A. Turning physical products into services
("Turning physical products into services" refers to a business model shift where products are no longer sold as ownership but are offered as services instead. This approach is a core concept of the circular economy and product-as-a-service model. )
What is a major barrier to efficient recycling?
A. Over-collection of recyclable materials
B. Contamination of recycling streams
C. Surplus of recycling facilities
D. Decreasing availability of raw materials
B. Contamination of recycling streams
In city planning, "adaptive reuse" refers to:
A. Updating existing buildings for new purposes
B. Demolishing and rebuilding
C. Recycling construction waste
D. Replanting urban green spaces
A. Updating existing buildings for new purposes
Extended Producer Responsibility" (EPR) policies make companies:
A. Pay more taxes based on sales
B. Responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products
C. Export more waste abroad
D. Reduce the use of hazardous materials in the manufacturing process
B. Responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products
Why do many countries, both developed and developing, face significant challenges in implementing circular economy models?
A. Limited access to renewable resources and clean technology
B. Economic dependency on linear industries that resist change
C. Political resistance to international environmental agreements
D. Lack of consumer interest in sustainable products
B. Economic dependency on linear industries that resist change
Which industry has been particularly slow to adopt circular business models?
A. Fashion
B. Technology
C. Construction
D. Aviation
C. Construction
C. Construction
In material science, what does "remanufacturing" involve?
A. Using new raw materials to produce products with longer lifespans
B. Restoring products to their original specifications by disassembling and reusing components
C. Repurposing waste products into lower-quality items
D. Reprocessing materials to create more energy-efficient versions of the original product
Answer: B. Restoring products to their original specifications by disassembling and reusing components
B. Restoring products to their original specifications by disassembling and reusing components
What major challenge do circular cities face?
A. An excess of recycled materials
B. Coordinating infrastructure, policy, and community engagement
C. Shortage of consumers
D. Too much investment in renewables
B. Coordinating infrastructure, policy, and community engagement
What is a primary challenge for businesses transitioning to a circular economy model?
A. The availability of cheap raw materials
B. Limited consumer demand for recycled goods
C. Lack of awareness about the economic benefits
D. The need for new manufacturing processes and infrastructure
D. The need for new manufacturing processes and infrastructure