CEMEX & The Circular Economy
CEMEX's commitment to sustainability is a fundamental pillar of its business strategy. In line with the global movement towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), CEMEX has defined ambitious sustainability goals that support its commitment to building a better world by helping to address some of the main challenges facing society today.
On a planet with finite resources we cannot continue with the current growth model based on the linear economy. Its unsustainability highlights the need to implement a development model that optimizes the use of resources and minimizes waste generation: the circular economy.
Towards a circular world
The cement industry plays a fundamental role in the global effort needed to promote and drive this transition, mainly through the transformation of by-products from other industries into resources that are used in its processes. Recycled material and energy recovery from waste in CEMEX’s UK cement plants replaces 20 – 60% of the fossil fuels and substantially reduce the wastes that otherwise would being buried in landfills, for more information on alternative fuels, see our sustainable construction section.
But the transition to the circular economy not only implies the commitment of public and private entities, but also requires a series of changes in the education and values of society as a whole.
Environmental Education
Our social impact strategy allows us to boost transformational changes both inside and outside CEMEX. We offer various environmental awareness programmes aimed at children and young people to encourage them to discover and respect the environment. Specifically, the educational programme A Circular World aims to help younger generations to better understand and contribute to the transition towards the Circular Economy.
This programme is aimed at the entire educational community: it is developed for students, through activities designed for each stage of learning, and also for teachers, since it includes tools and guides to facilitate teaching.
Classroom Activities
Find out how you can contribute to a more sustainable future through the proposed activities.
Digital Breakout challenge
"Join The Resolve Team!" A team of young people who come from different countries needs your help.
An international team of young people needs help to solve different environmental challenges that are being identified around the world.
Certain natural resources are being depleted.
Oil continues to be the main source of energy despite being a non-renewable source.
Landfills accumulate tonnes of waste.
Tonnes of plastics and other waste continue to reach our seas.
The number of people living in cities is increasing.
To find a solution to these global problems, the team will need the help of all the children of the world. There is no time to lose, the planet needs you!
Are you ready to face the challenge?
The ReSOLVE team has been notified that ecosystems are on the brink of collapse and there is only one way to save them. Vera, the spokesperson of this team will guide you through this adventure.
The challenge is divided into 5 missions that you must progress through. In each one you will find messages, clues and tasks that you must solve to continue with the challenge. Pay attention to the information hidden in the Innovation Lab...
Format: interactive digital game (breakout format). It can be played as a group or individually, both in the classroom and remotely.
Duration: 45 – 60 min.
Recipients: 5th and 6th grade primary school students (10 – 12 years).
The game promotes the development of key skills, and the understanding of concepts related to the Circular Economy and sustainable development. The specific objectives of the activity are:
1. Raise awareness of current environmental challenges and foment individual responsibility so that young people can contribute with their daily actions to the sustainable future of the planet.
2. Demonstrate the limitations of the linear economy and understand the importance of the transition to the circular economy as a basis for sustainable development.
3. Understand circularity strategies through concrete examples of implementation in industry and in everyday life.
4. Encourage learning through experience, through a transformative education in which the person is the protagonist of their own learning process.
5. Promote critical thinking and decision-making, through the transversal application of the knowledge acquired during the game to different real-world situations.
6. Reinforce teamwork, communication and mediation among the participants while they take part.
You have different game options, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs or those of your group or class:
Group classroom session: you can play the game using the digital devices available in the classroom. In this case, a person in charge of guiding the teams and directing the session will be needed.
Individual online session: students can access the game remotely and take part in the activity individually, following the instructions and using the available clues, if they need them. In this case, teachers will be able to intervene in a preliminary preparation phase and later to reflect on what they have learned.
Group online session: this is a blended option combining the group classroom session and individual play. Any videoconference platform can be used to lead the group remote session, which involves students working in teams to solve the challenges under the direction of a teacher.
In the "Teacher's dossier" you will find more information and details about the different game options.
A digital device with internet access (computer or tablet) for each team, or for each person if the individual play option is chosen. If you only have one device, the challenge can be worked on collectively.
You should also have paper and pencils handy for taking notes which might help in solving the challenges.
The game is played against the clock. So you need to make sure you have the necessary time to complete it (approximately 45-60 min), since once started… the clock will keep ticking!
Teacher’s dossier If you want to carry out this activity with a group or class, you can consult the following guide that details the instructions and steps necessary to direct the game session.
What is an educational breakout activity?
It is a game format that consists of solving a final challenge through puzzles and tests. In the school environment, this gamification fosters student learning.
Is it a group or individual activity?
It can be played in a group or individually, both in person in the classroom and remotely, always through a digital device with an internet connection.
Can I participate in the challenge even if I don't know in depth what the circular economy is?
Yes, since the game provides knowledge and learning about the strategies of the circular economy. To learn more about the subject, you can also consult the complementary resources section, which offers additional materials organized by educational levels.
What is the role of the person who directs the game?
The person who directs the game, generally a teacher, presents the participants with the challenge and the rules of the game, and their role is to accompany them during the activity, providing clues if necessary. You can consult the following guide that details the instructions and steps necessary to direct the game session.
What do you do if you get stuck on a mission?
If the game is being played in group mode, you can request the help of the person directing the game. If you are tackling the challenge individually, you can consult the section of clues available within the game.
Can the timer be stopped?
No, the 60 minute countdown will only stop when the challenge posed by the ReSOLVE team is solved. Go!
New activities will be available soon!
Visit the Complimentary resources section, where you will find more information and links of interest to work on the Circular Economy in the classroom.
New activities will be available soon!
Visit the Complimentary resources section, where you will find more information and links of interest to work on the Circular Economy in the classroom.