Assessment 3 Brief
ASSESSMENT 3
BRIEF
Engineering Sustainability
Woolworths company name
800 words +/–10%
The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by the successful
completion of the task below include:
a) Critically analyse the importance and challenges of ethics
and sustainability in the economy and organisations, reflecting on
the roles of key sustainability stakeholders;
) Investigate, analyse and evaluate the challenges associated
with sustainably and ethically managing an engineering
organisation’s strategy and functions, as well as the management
capabilities required;
c) Critically analyse and apply tools, methodologies,
management practices and processes to ensure engineering
sustainability compliance and delivery of sustainable outcomes; and
d) Create a sustainability strategy to contribute to business
continuity.
Weighting 30%
Total Marks 100 marks
Task Summary
In response to the background information provided, you and your group will conduct research and
draft a 800 words (+/–10%) response on how circular economy concepts can contribute to
sustainably treating electronic waste (e-waste). Your response will focus on a nominated country and
needs to include examples of business models and innovative technologies which contribute to
sustainable e-waste solutions.
Please refer to the Task Instructions (below) for details on how to complete this task.
Context
Engineers Australia (n.d.) contend that a circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linea
economy (that traditionally follows the 'make, use, dispose plan). In a circular economy, resources
are kept in use for as long as possible, the maximum value is extracted from them while they are in
use and the products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of each service life. As
Engineers Australia (n.d.) states, ‘As engineers in a modern world we have the opportunity to
discover and develop sustainable design and engineering methods to improve the reuse, repair,
emanufacturing and recycling of products for a circular economy’.
The concept of a circular economy is a way of developing a holistic, system-wide approach to the
issue of waste, recycling and sustainable development. It addresses recycling and the entire lifecycle
of devices. Designers, manufacturers, investors, traders, miners, consumers, policy makers and others
all have a role to play in the circular economy.
CSIRO (n.d.) emphasises that‘[b]y maximising resource utility and incorporating the concept of
circularity during production and consumption (i.e. not just focused on waste management), the
circular economy boosts entire economies. For Australia, where cu
ently the value of its natural
esources lies only in the raw, unprocessed state, a circular economy is critical in ensuring future
prosperity and economic security’.
This assessment deals with the recycling of e-waste as part of the move to a circular economy. In
2018, roughly 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste were generated globally. Of this waste, only 20%
was recycled
e-used through appropriate channels. E-waste also presents an opportunity fo
usinesses to recover expensive and scarce resources, such as precious metals, rare earths and othe
critical materials that have a potential value of US$62.5 Billion annually. However cu
ent
technologies, business models and policy frameworks are not well adapted to enable the recovery of
these resources (World Economic Forum, 2019).
APA References
CSIRO. (n.d.) Circular economy and waste management. Retrieved from
https:
www.csiro.au/en/Research/Environment/Circular-Economy#:~:text=For%20Australia
%2C%20where%20cu
ently%20the,%2C%20paper%2C%2 0glass%20and%20tyres
Engineers Australia (n.d.) Engineering and the circular economy.
Retrieved from
https:
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/Event/engineering-and-circular-economy
World Economic Forum. (2019, 24 January). A new circular vision for electronics, time for a global
eboot. Retrieved from
https:
www.weforum.org
eports/a-new-circular-vision-forelectronics-time-for-a-global-re
oot
https:
www.csiro.au/en/Research/Environment/Circular-Economy#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DFor%20Australia%2C%20where%20cu
ently%20the%2C%2C%20paper%2C%20glass%20and%20tyres
https:
www.csiro.au/en/Research/Environment/Circular-Economy#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DFor%20Australia%2C%20where%20cu
ently%20the%2C%2C%20paper%2C%20glass%20and%20tyres
https:
www.csiro.au/en/Research/Environment/Circular-Economy#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DFor%20Australia%2C%20where%20cu
ently%20the%2C%2C%20paper%2C%20glass%20and%20tyres
https:
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/Event/engineering-and-circular-economy
https:
www.weforum.org
eports/a-new-circular-vision-for-electronics-time-for-a-global-reboot
https:
www.weforum.org
eports/a-new-circular-vision-for-electronics-time-for-a-global-reboot
Task Instructions
In this assessment, you will use circular economy concepts to generate recommendations that
countries can adopt to address e-waste. To complete this assessment, you will research and address
the questions and issues (outlined below) in relation to Australia.
•
Technology
• Identify examples of innovative technologies that can facilitate the re-use of e-waste materials.
• Identify challenges to the adoption and scalability of technical solutions.
The methodology for this assessment is based on desk-based research using secondary sources.
You need to prepare for and approach this task by reviewing the content and readings provided in
‘Module 4: Ensuring Engineering Sustainability Compliance’ and conducting research of publicly
available information.
In structuring the report, please use the following headings as a guide:
1. Introduction
Summarise the background information provided on the circular economy and e-waste and
the objective of the assignment.
2. Research questions to be addressed
Research questions and issues related to business models and technology.
3. Literature Review
Summarise the literature review for each research question.