Assessing consumer knowledge, attitudes, and adoption of circular economy practices in Colombia

Consumers play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the circular economy (CE) model. In Colombia, despite measures designed to support CE, there is a paucity of empirical evidence regarding consumer engagement. This study aimed to assess consumer knowledge, attitudes, and adoption of C...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainable production and consumption 2024-05, Vol.46, p.256-267
Main Authors: Henao-Hincapié, Liliana Janet, Leyes, Mauricio, Loeber-Vizcaíno, Gunther Edgardo, Cruz-Pérez, Andrés, Romero-Perdomo, Felipe, González-Curbelo, Miguel Ángel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Circularity
Consumer engagement
Consumer responsibility
Public awareness
Sustainable consumption
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Summary:Consumers play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the circular economy (CE) model. In Colombia, despite measures designed to support CE, there is a paucity of empirical evidence regarding consumer engagement. This study aimed to assess consumer knowledge, attitudes, and adoption of CE in Colombia. A survey was conducted in three cities known for their strong interest in CE and their significant contributions to national development: Medellin, Pereira, and Barranquilla. The data gathered from 1184 responses were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods. The results revealed that only 26 % of consumer responses denote adequate knowledge of CE, highlighting a substantial lack of awareness regarding the CE concept and both government and private sector initiatives. Consumer attitudes towards CE were notably positive, with 77 % of responses expressing a favorable stance. Concerning the adoption of circular strategies in their daily lives, 53 % of consumer responses involved CE adoption, while 23 % exhibited resistance. Medellin and Pereira's consumers exhibited similar and encouraging circular behavior, while those in Barranquilla faced more barriers. Furthermore, this study reports that the city of residence, educational level, and socioeconomic stratum influence how consumers perceive, value, and adopt CE. These findings emphasize the urgent need to enhance consumer engagement and performance to support Colombia's CE plans. The implications outlined herein will benefit the identification and prioritization of synergistic actions to transform the role of the consumer and turn it into a catalyst for CE.
ISSN:2352-5509
2352-5509
DOI:10.1016/j.spc.2024.02.030