The Circular Household Model : A Framework for Implementing Circular Economy at the Micro Level
Rising global resource consumption and waste generation highlight the urgent need for change. This whitepaper focuses on the transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) by taking a deeper look on the role of consumers within the CE. While existing research frequently focuses on the macro, meso or micro level itself, there is a lack of research taking a holistic approach when concentrating on CE. We take a deeper look into the interactions between the levels from the consumer perspective (micro level). The Circular Household Model (CHM), developed within the Interreg project Circ@Home, addresses this gap by positioning households as active agents within the Urban Circularity Triangle (Town–Home–Services), linking individual behavior with local infrastructures and service ecosystems. The CHM is operationalized through the spider web model, adapting R-strategies across food and non-food domains, allowing households to assess their circular practices and identify areas for improvement. As a conceptual tool, the CHM also enables researchers to analyze barriers and drivers of household-level circularity. Future research should empirically validate this model, refine its categories, and evaluate its scalability and transferability across socio-economic and cultural contexts. By integrating households into systemic CE strategies, the CHM contributes to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable consumption practices.
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