IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i7p3279-d1629781.html

From Knowledge to Action: How Portuguese Higher Education Students Engage with Circular Economy Principles

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Pardal

    (Department of Applied Sciences and Technologies, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal
    CREATE—Center for Sci-Tech Research in Earth System and Energy, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

  • Anabela Moreira

    (TECHN&ART—Centre for Technology, Restoration and Art Enhancement, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal)

  • Cristina Galacho

    (HERCULES Laboratory, IN2PAST Associated Laboratory & Chemistry and Biochemistry Department of School of Sciences and Technology, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

  • Dina Mateus

    (TECHN&ART—Centre for Technology, Restoration and Art Enhancement, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal)

  • Laura Viegas

    (CIDNUR—Lisbon Center for Research, Innovation and Development in Nursing, Lisbon School of Nursing, 1900-160 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Marcelo Gaspar

    (CDRSP—Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Margarida Ribau Teixeira

    (CENSE—Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 7, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Vitor Manteigas

    (H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis

    (Fernando Pessoa Research, Innovation and Development Institute (FP-I3ID), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), University of Coimbra, Edifício do Patronato, Rua da Matemática, 49, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions and practices of Portuguese higher education students regarding the circular economy (CE), emphasising their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours toward sustainable resource management. Carried out by the Working Group on Circular Economy and Waste Management of the Portuguese Sustainable Campus Network (RCS), the research used an online survey targeting students from 20 higher education institutions (HEIs), resulting in 400 responses. The findings indicate that while students generally hold positive views of the CE, their understanding of its practical applications, such as waste reduction and resource efficiency, remains limited. Only a small proportion of students reported exposure to CE-related topics in their curriculum, revealing a gap in academic integration. This study also identifies significant demographic variations in CE awareness and practices, influenced by factors such as age, field of study, and employment status. These insights underscore the need for HEIs to strengthen CE education and actively involve students in hands-on sustainability initiatives, fostering a generation equipped to drive the transition toward a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Pardal & Anabela Moreira & Cristina Galacho & Dina Mateus & Laura Viegas & Marcelo Gaspar & Margarida Ribau Teixeira & Vitor Manteigas & Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis, 2025. "From Knowledge to Action: How Portuguese Higher Education Students Engage with Circular Economy Principles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3279-:d:1629781
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/7/3279/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/7/3279/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Márcia N. Alves & Carlos Seixas & Alberto Castro & Alexandra Leitão, 2023. "Promoting the Transition to a Circular Economy: A Study about Behaviour, Attitudes, and Knowledge by University Students in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Ilaria Giannoccaro & Gaia Ceccarelli & Luca Fraccascia, 2021. "Features of the Higher Education for the Circular Economy: The Case of Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Chang-Ho Yang & Mei-Chen Chuang & Der-Fa Chen, 2024. "Role of Higher Education Students’ Environmental Awareness and Environmental Concern in the Purchase Intention of Circular Economy Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Steven Whitehill & Carolyn Susan Hayles & Sean Jenkins & Jim Taylour, 2022. "Engagement with Higher Education Surface Pattern Design Students as a Catalyst for Circular Economy Action," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Opoku, Eric Evans Osei & Dogah, Kingsley E. & Aluko, Olufemi Adewale, 2022. "The contribution of human development towards environmental sustainability," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    6. Denner Deda & Murillo Vetroni Barros & Constança Rigueiro & Margarida Ribau Teixeira, 2022. "From Linear to Circular Ideas: An Educational Contest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-13, September.
    7. Ana M. Barreiros & Anabela Durão & Ana Galvão & Cristina Matos & Dina Mateus & Ivo Araújo & Luís Neves & Mário Matos & Sandra Mourato, 2023. "Analyzing Green Behavior and the Rational Use of Water in Portuguese Higher Education Campi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Oluwatobi Mary Owojori & Ratshalingwa Mulaudzi & Joshua N. Edokpayi, 2022. "Student’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) to Solid Waste Management: A Survey towards a More Circular Economy from a Rural-Based Tertiary Institution in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-23, January.
    9. Marta Sukiennik & Karolina Zybała & Dariusz Fuksa & Marek Kęsek, 2021. "The Role of Universities in Sustainable Development and Circular Economy Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, August.
    10. Winans, K. & Kendall, A. & Deng, H., 2017. "The history and current applications of the circular economy concept," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 825-833.
    11. Marica Antovska-Mitev & Tatjana Drangovska, 2024. "Awareness on Concept of Circular Economy in North Macedonia on the Example of First Cycle University Students," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 7, pages 161-180.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. António Cardoso & Amândio Silva & Manuel Sousa Pereira & Jorge Figueiredo & Isabel Oliveira, 2025. "Sustainable Consumption Intentions Among Portuguese University Students: A Multidimensional Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-25, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mekonnen Amberber Degefu & Yitayal Addis Alemayehu & Bewketu Mamaru Mengiste, 2026. "Understanding How Secondary School Teachers in Ethiopia Integrate Environmental Education and Circular Economy: Implications for Accelerating SDGs," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-26, February.
    2. John A. Mathews, 2020. "Schumpeterian economic dynamics of greening: propagation of green eco-platforms," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 929-948, September.
    3. Huang, Jijiang & Veksha, Andrei & Chan, Wei Ping & Giannis, Apostolos & Lisak, Grzegorz, 2022. "Chemical recycling of plastic waste for sustainable material management: A prospective review on catalysts and processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    4. Mohammad Mafizur Rahman & Nahid Sultana, 2024. "Nexus of Human Development and Environmental Quality in Low-Income and Developing Countries: Do Renewable Energy and Good Governance Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Risa Arai & Martin Calisto Friant & Walter J. V. Vermeulen, 2024. "The Japanese Circular Economy and Sound Material-Cycle Society Policies: Discourse and Policy Analysis," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 619-650, March.
    6. D'Adamo, Idiano & Mammetti, Marco & Ottaviani, Dario & Ozturk, Ilhan, 2023. "Photovoltaic systems and sustainable communities: New social models for ecological transition. The impact of incentive policies in profitability analyses," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 1291-1304.
    7. Halkos, George & Aslanidis, Panagiotis-Stavros, 2024. "Reviewing environmental aspects under the scope of ESG," MPRA Paper 120298, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Chenyu Lu & Yang Zhang & Hengji Li & Zilong Zhang & Wei Cheng & Shulei Jin & Wei Liu, 2020. "An Integrated Measurement of the Efficiency of China’s Industrial Circular Economy and Associated Influencing Factors," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-21, September.
    9. Woraluck Sribanasarn & Anujit Phumiphan & Siwa Kaewplang & Mathinee Khotdee & Ounla Sivanpheng & Anongrit Kangrang, 2025. "Sustainability in Action: Analyzing Mahasarakham University’s Integration of SDGs in Education, Research, and Operations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-25, July.
    10. Marica Antovska-Mitev & Tatjana Drangovska, 2024. "Awareness on Concept of Circular Economy in North Macedonia on the Example of First Cycle University Students," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 7, pages 161-180.
    11. Andrea Guazzini & Marina Baroni & Maria Fiorenza & Sofia Sprugnoli & Giulia Valdrighi & Mirko Duradoni, 2025. "Development and Validation of the New Environmental Locus of Control (NE-LOC) Scale: A Novel Measure of Internal, External, and Community Locus of Control for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, July.
    12. Joacim Rosenlund & Miralem Helmefalk & Sofie Stenfelt & Adam Palmquist, 2025. "Levelling up the Recycling Experience: Gamification of Recycling through an Innovative Recycling Station," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 1983-2007, June.
    13. Castro-Lopez, Adrian & Iglesias, Victor & Santos-Vijande, María Leticia, 2023. "Organizational capabilities and institutional pressures in the adoption of circular economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    14. Anika Reetsch & Kai Schwärzel & Christina Dornack & Shadrack Stephene & Karl-Heinz Feger, 2020. "Optimising Nutrient Cycles to Improve Food Security in Smallholder Farming Families—A Case Study from Banana-Coffee-Based Farming in the Kagera Region, NW Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-34, November.
    15. Natalia Kowalska & Ewelina Brodawka & Adam Smoliński & Katarzyna Zarębska, 2022. "The European Education Initiative as a Mitigation Mechanism for Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.
    16. Yağcılar Gamze Göçmen & Erdaş Mehmet Levent & Arslan Zühal, 2025. "Research on the Impact of Financial Development and Human Capital on the Sustainable Development Goals in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs): Evidence from Econometric Approaches," Review of Economic Perspectives, Sciendo, vol. 25(1), pages 29-47.
    17. Leonel J. R. Nunes & Abel M. Rodrigues & João C. O. Matias & Ana I. Ferraz & Ana C. Rodrigues, 2021. "Production of Biochar from Vine Pruning: Waste Recovery in the Wine Industry," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, May.
    18. George Lăzăroiu & Luminița Ionescu & Cristian Uță & Iulian Hurloiu & Mihai Andronie & Irina Dijmărescu, 2020. "Environmentally Responsible Behavior and Sustainability Policy Adoption in Green Public Procurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-12, March.
    19. Muafi Muafi, 2021. "A model of circular economy in the relationship with sustainable development, recycling, and life cycle: Bibliometric analysis," International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 3(1), pages 38-49, January.
    20. Valentina Jacometti, 2019. "Circular Economy and Waste in the Fashion Industry," Laws, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-13, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3279-:d:1629781. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.