The Wicked Problem of
an Equitable​ Zero-Waste Circular Economy​

The U.S. is a consumption-based society whose economic health is dependent on spending and consumption of goods, or products, and services. The impact of our consumption, though, is felt globally. This is most obvious when considered from the perspective of the lifecycle of a product, from extraction of the raw resources required for it, to its production and distribution, and, finally, its consumption and disposal. The consequences of each step are both positive (e.g., personal, local, or national wealth) and negative (e.g., habitat destruction, environmental pollution, or human health). Consumption is essential to our economy, but our consumption and ultimately disposal of our consumed products, from food to clothing to electronics, is not sustainable. How will we provide for the consumptive needs of a growing global population if we continue to rely on raw resources that are non-renewable or we indiscriminately use or overuse renewable resources? Creating a circular economy is a wicked problem, that is, a complex societal challenge that is impossible to fully solve. Making a circular economy sustainable and making certain it works well for everyone is even more wicked. In this module, students will explore the the way complex problems like a circular economy intertwine natural systems with human activities that provide for our physical health and economic well-being.