The lecture series is organised in two main topics: On the one hand, fundamentals of sustainability are explained and it is shown how to tread more sustainable paths in materials science and mechanical engineering. On the other hand, separation and recycling processes for all common classes of materials are presented and discussed. It is shown how recycling fosters a holistic and sustainable perspective on material processing and use.

1. legal bases and historical background
2. climate change, ecology and material flows
3. sustainability in general
4. product responsibility, recyclable design and planned obsolescence
5. general and legal bases of recycling
6. material separation, sorting and processing
7. recycling of metals
8. recycling of polymers and composites
9. recycling of everyday materials
10. alternative materials and alternative design concepts
11. materials for renewable energy sources

Skript wird in der Vorlesung ausgegeben