What is it about?
This article examines how consumers contribute to the circular economy, an approach that aims to reduce waste by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. Instead of throwing things away at the end of their life, the circular economy encourages practices like reusing, repairing, recycling, and remanufacturing products. The study focuses on the role of consumers in circular supply chains, which encompass all companies and processes involved in making, using, and recovering products. To better understand this role, the authors reviewed 74 academic studies. They explored how consumers participate in different circular actions, such as refusing unnecessary products, rethinking consumption, reducing use, reusing items, repairing broken products, recycling materials, and more. The findings show that most research so far focuses mainly on reuse, recycling, and repair, while other circular behaviors receive much less attention. The study also finds that people’s willingness to adopt circular practices is strongly influenced by their environmental beliefs and by financial incentives or costs. Overall, the paper helps clarify how consumers affect the success of circular economy efforts and what encourages or prevents them from participating.
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Why is it important?
This research is important because the traditional “take–make–dispose” model of production creates massive amounts of waste and puts pressure on natural resources. The circular economy offers a more sustainable alternative, but it cannot succeed without active participation from consumers. While companies and governments often receive most of the attention, this study highlights that everyday consumer behavior — such as choosing reusable products, repairing items, and recycling properly — is just as critical. By identifying the main motivations and barriers, the research helps policymakers, businesses, and educators design better programs to encourage circular practices. For example, it shows that people are more likely to engage when they see environmental benefits or financial savings. The study also points out gaps in current research, encouraging future studies to explore less-studied consumer roles in the circular economy. In a world facing climate change and resource scarcity, understanding how to involve consumers in sustainable systems is essential for long-term environmental and economic well-being.
Perspectives
From a personal perspective, this manuscript connects closely to everyday choices many of us make — whether to throw something away, try to fix it, buy second-hand, or recycle properly. It shows that the circular economy is not just a concept for businesses or governments, but something that depends heavily on individual behavior. Each time a consumer repairs a phone, reuses packaging, or chooses recycled products, they are actively supporting a more sustainable system. What stands out is that people are often motivated by a mix of caring for the environment and practical concerns like saving money. At the same time, confusion, inconvenience, or lack of incentives can discourage circular behaviors. The study reminds us that while big changes in industry are necessary, real progress also happens through small daily actions. It encourages reflection on how personal habits contribute either to waste or to sustainability. Ultimately, the manuscript highlights that consumers are not just end users — they are key partners in building a circular economy.
Antonio Carrizo Moreira
Universidade Aberta
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The role of consumers in the adoption of R-strategies: A review and research agenda, Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, June 2024, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.clrc.2024.100193.
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