Circular Economy Behaviors and Well Being: Identifying the Conditions That Matter Most
Date
Authors
Svensson-Hoglund, Sahra
Sirgy, M Joseph
Russell, Jennifer D
Little, Vicki J
Richter, Jessika Luth
Webb, Dave
Ekici, Ahmet
Gallego-Schmid, Alejandro
Milios, Leonidas
Grousset, Rich
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Abstract
Circular economy (CE) behaviors, such as reuse, repair, and sharing, are crucial to sustainable consumption; however, how and when such behaviors influence product users or consumers' personal well being remain underexplored. Specifically, limited insights exist regarding how engagement may foster feelings of enjoyment, a sense of mastery, or social belonging, as well as the contextual conditions under which these outcomes are most likely to emerge. This paper introduces the “Key Aspects of CE Behaviors for Product User Well Being” Framework, which identifies 13 high-level conditions of CE behavior engagements that shape product user well being outcomes. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature and validated through a Delphi study with experts in CE, sufficiency, and consumer well being, the Framework presents a comprehensive theorization of product user well being (PUWB) within the CE context. The Framework serves as an analytical tool for academics and consultants to examine actor influences, while also empowering stakeholders and decision-makers (e.g., businesses, policymakers, and product users) to identify and optimize levers within their respective spheres of influence. Emphasizing integrated application and actor coordination, the Framework provides actionable guidance for fostering supportive social, policy, and infrastructure environments that promote well being. Thus, the Framework lays foundational groundwork for designing people-centered CE strategies that advance both environmental sustainability and quality of life.Description
Keywords
33 Built Environment and Design, 3301 Architecture, 3302 Building, 3303 Design, Behavioral and Social Science, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, circular behaviors, circular economy, happiness, sustainable consumption, well being, circular consumption
Source
Frontiers in Sustainability, ISSN: 2673-4524 (Print); 2673-4524 (Online), Frontiers Media SA, 7, 1718473-. doi: 10.3389/frsus.2026.1718473
Rights statement
© 2026 Svensson-Hoglund, Sirgy, Russell, Little, Richter, Webb, Ekici,
Gallego-Schmid, Milios, Grousset, Yu, Novich and Wooliscroft. This is an
open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other
forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.