CE at MSU

What is the Circular Economy?

The Circular Economy is a framework for creating economic, environmental, and social value by designing systems that keep materials, products, resources, and knowledge in productive use while regenerating natural systems and strengthening community resilience. Unlike a traditional linear economy built around extraction, consumption, and disposal, a Circular Economy seeks to create systems that are restorative, regenerative, and designed for long-term prosperity.

Why Circular Economy at MSU? 

Circular Economy is already present across Montana State University. Faculty, staff, students, and partners are advancing related work through agriculture, engineering, business, health, ecology, manufacturing, chemistry, entrepreneurship, community development, campus operations, education, and more. The purpose of the Circular Economy Collaborative is to help connect these efforts, build new partnerships, and create opportunities for shared learning, research, innovation, and impact.

What is the Circular Economy Collaborative at MSU?

The Circular Economy Collaborative is an emerging interdisciplinary effort that connects faculty, staff, students, researchers, practitioners, and community partners interested in advancing Circular Economy principles through teaching, research, operations, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community engagement.

We are working to identify existing strengths across campus, build new collaborations, and create opportunities that support Montana's communities, economy, and natural resources.

For more information contact jenniferg@montana.edu. 

Circular Economy Collision Event:  October 22nd, 11am-1:30pm

The Circular Economy Collision Event will bring together faculty, staff, researchers, and practitioners from across campus to discover shared interests, identify collaborators, and explore future opportunities.

The event will feature:

  • Lightning talks
  • Facilitated themed discussions
  • Collaboration-building activities
  • Networking opportunities

Free lunch provided with registration. Location: American Indian Hall

RSVP Here: [RSVP]

Areas of interest:

Circular Economy can be applied across many areas of the university, including:

  • Agriculture, Food Systems & Bioeconomy
  • Materials, Manufacturing & Waste-to-Value
  • Ecosystems, Water & Environmental Stewardship
  • Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Built Environment & Infrastructure
  • Campus Operations
  • Rural Communities & Health
  • Policy, Systems & Society
  • Workforce Development & Education

Interested in learning more?  

Join the Circular Economy listserve by emailing jenniferg@montana.edu 

Share your Circular Economy interest:

Circular Economy Survey

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