Circular Economy from the Point of Consumption Relations: Consumer’s Role in Maintaining Circular Process

Abstract

Behind the source of environmental problems lie many factors. If we do not wish to ruin the world for future generations after making our own world uninhabitable by abusing the resources, we need to think and question many issues starting from our philosophy of science to our ways of consumption and from alternative technologies to the madness of the consumer society. The economic model applied today is the linear economy model which was developed after the industrial revolution. This model is based on the production and consumption process, which is entirely based on the take–make–dispose understanding in industry, agriculture and trade. The first priority in this cycle is the industry rather than the environment. However, the population is expected to increase gradually in half a century that will cause lack of food and shelter problems in every sense. As an alternative to linear economy, circular economy is defined as an economic approach that the value of products, materials and resources are kept as long as possible in the economy whereas the amount of waste is the lowest. The concept of circular economy is based on a transition to restorative industrial economy, renewable energy, reducing the use of toxic chemicals meanwhile avoiding waste. In this context, the consumer movement consisted of individuals who have high awareness and consciousness of the environment, reshapes consumption decisions and correspondingly initiatives are created. Adopting an understanding called lifestyle of health and sustainability, the consumers prioritize by making their consumptions sustainable, protecting green marketing practices and the ecological system for future generations.

Citation

Nart, S. and Öztürk, A. (2021), "Circular Economy from the Point of Consumption Relations: Consumer’s Role in Maintaining Circular Process", Grima, S., Özen, E. and Boz, H. (Ed.) Contemporary Issues in Social Science (Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, Vol. 106), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 67-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-375920210000106005