Circular Concepts and Values: Will Reuse Become Fashionable?

Abstract

Analysts often treat the circular economy as a technical issue. They often focus on how to organise work processes better. The authors’ concept is that circularity is much more than that, and a more precise and holistic approach can help create a better and more inclusive future for all. Young people play a key role in achieving a circular future (as a socioeconomic system). In this paper, the authors will look at how young people relate to circular processes. The research, based on a survey of 1,442 university students, took place in November and December 2022. The majority of the respondents were born around 2000 and are enrolled in undergraduate studies at Széchenyi István University. The questions of a standardised questionnaire were designed to collect information on the awareness of participation in the socioeconomic cycle process, the understanding of the context and the way of participation. The results of the research show that the students who consider themselves environmentally conscious are more likely to recycle and collect waste selectively, but it is not clear whether they participate in extending the life of the objects (swapping, second market, etc.). The research also found that students do not use and are typically unaware of online applications promoting circular lifestyles. The research sheds light on what a circular future would look like and what could be built on it.