ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
1. Choose a company and a product and explore its value chain to write a
report focussing on the four issues:

1.1 Discuss the sustainability problem associated with the wider sector linking to the
company and a product.
In this section, discuss in detail, the social, environmental, and economic challenges
associated with the sector that your company belongs to. Provide evidence, data and
examples to illustrate the extent of challenges.
1.2 Explain the product value chain identifying materials and waste flows in each
process from extraction, manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal.
In explaining the value chain, use a value chain diagram showing materials used in the
process and the type of waste generated at different stages from extraction to
disposal (e.g. see the value chain diagram 4.1). Where you cannot find a complete
information, make assumptions; but state clearly the assumptions you have made and
the basis of assumptions. This is mostly associated with raw materials.
1.3 Propose three or more circular strategies/approaches and relevant circular business
models the company could adopt.
In proposing the CE approaches, revisit the value chain diagram and show at which
stage the suggested CE approaches could be implemented (e.g. see the value chain
diagram 4.2). In proposing CE approaches, look at circular design, inputs, circular
business models, reverse logistics and enablers) and R-frameworks, refer to examples
of companies to consider which aspects of CE have already been implemented to gain
insight on the proposed approaches.
1.4 Evaluation of the most favourable circular strategy and circular business model for
the chosen product from your perspective.
Based on the proposed circular strategies/approaches and circular business models,
make an overall evaluation about the circular strategy and circular business model you
see as most favourable for the chosen product. Justify with evidence in what ways
and how the most favourable strategy and circular business models can create higher
social, economic and environmental value. If you have proposed any design and input

choices, also clarify which you would see to increase the feasibility and viability for
circularity. Feasibility is about the ease in implementing circular strategies. Here, you
can mention what might be required or what factors may facilitate implementation of
circular actions. Viability is the potential to succeed in creating social, environmental
and economic value through the proposed strategies. Here, you can mention what t
factors may hinder the implementation of circular actions.

2. The report should include the following four sections:
2.1 Introduction – The chosen company and the product and sustainability problem
associated with the wider sector (1.1 above)
2.2 Current value chain of the product – Discuss of value chain identifying materials and
waste flows and value loss (1.2 above)
2.3 Proposed circular solutions– Discussion of the proposed circular approaches (1.3
above).
2.4 Conclusions – Summary identifying challenges to the implementation of the
proposed ideas (1.4 above)

3. Guidelines
3.1 Word count
2000 words (+/-10%, excludes references, tables and diagrams)
3.2 Reading and referencing
– The report should make use of secondary sources, such as company website and
reports, public sources (news articles) and relevant academic and grey literature
(journal articles, report and any relevant materials) to report on the topics.
– All the information must be correctly cited. You can use websites and other grey
materials provided that they are referenced.
– References should be used throughout the report, providing a complete list of
references at the end using the Harvard style.
– Please do not use other students’ materials as they will be recognised by the
Turnitin and anything not cited be regarded as plagiarism. Plagiarism, collusion,
and cheating are all forms of academic misconduct which the University takes very
seriously. The consequences of committing academic misconduct can be severe, so

it is important that you familiarise yourself with what it is and how to avoid it.
3.3 Formatting
– Calibri Font 12 (main body), 1.5 space and 2.5 page margin
– If using a table, please do NOT make it longer than a page
– For the value chain diagram, please make sure that it fits in a page (landscape)
3.4 Please do NOT use Appendices.
4 Example of value chain diagram
Please make sure not to use Porter’s value chain diagram. Porter’s value chain diagram is
at the company level, and here we are focussing on a product level exploring value chain.
4.1 Example of a value chain showing materials and waste flows

4.2 Proposing circular economy approaches

5 Assessment criteria
5.1 Knowledge and Understanding (40%)
5.2 Critical Thinking (40%)
5.3 Presentation and style (20%)