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An Animated Explanation of a Circular Economy

Provided by: The Kid Should See This |Published on: February 9, 2026

Articles/Websites

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Synopsis

This article from The Kid Should See This features a video from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation explaining the concept of a circular economy.
Students will understand how goods used to be produced more sustainably, how production has changed, and how we can move towards a more sustainable way of producing.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Economics

Authors: Ellen MacArthur Foundation, The Kid Should See This

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The video uses a chair as a simple example that students can understand and have experience with.
The article uses images from the video for reference, which helps students understand the article's text.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with our current economic system and the waste it generates.

Differentiation & Implementation

While watching the video, students may benefit from having the text on the screen read aloud to them.
After watching the video and reading the article, students can design a product that reflects the ideas of a circular economy.
Teachers can use this resource as a hook for a lesson that compares the linear economy to a circular one. Teachers can check out this resource for a ready-made lesson on the topic.
Teachers can use this resource to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production.

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Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

The Kid Should See This

The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.