IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v34y2026is1p148-169.html

The Roles of Civil Society Associations in Organising the Informal Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Wim Van Opstal
  • Nancy Bocken
  • Jan Brusselaers

Abstract

A circular economy (CE) transition requires more than technological innovation and market‐based solutions. It demands a circular society that values informal repair, reuse and sharing practices. This study investigates how civil society associations (CSAs) support such practices in an industrialised setting. We apply a mixed‐methods approach, combining survey data from 820 households in Flanders (Belgium) with 24 interviews involving CSA representatives at local, regional and European levels. Findings indicate that CSA membership increases participation in informal CE activities by strengthening trust, skills and accessibility, enabling activities that are less viable through market mechanisms alone. Respondents identify barriers to distributive, procedural and recognitional justice, which can be reduced by CSAs. We draw lessons for policymakers: providing structural support, reducing regulatory barriers and integrating informal CE practices into policies at municipal, regional, and European levels. These measures can help communities scale citizen‐driven CE practices, enhancing resilience and supporting vulnerable groups throughout the CE transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Wim Van Opstal & Nancy Bocken & Jan Brusselaers, 2026. "The Roles of Civil Society Associations in Organising the Informal Circular Economy," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 148-169, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:s1:p:148-169
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70168
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70168
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.70168?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Idiano D'Adamo & Edouard Nicolas Rossi, 2025. "Impact of regional investment on the sustainable development goals: A group analysis of economic and territorial development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 1816-1834, April.
    2. Julen Galarza‐María & Alberto Díaz de Junguitu & Irati Labaien, 2024. "Social dimension of the circular economy: Impact categories through fuzzy Delphi method," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4726-4737, October.
    3. Gloria Claudio‐Quiroga & Carlos Poza, 2024. "Measuring the circular economy in Europe: Big differences among countries, great opportunities to converge," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4707-4725, October.
    4. Patrick HERBST & Jens PRUFER, 2016. "Firms, Nonprofits, And Cooperatives: A Theory Of Organizational Choice," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 87(3), pages 315-343, December.
    5. Filipe Santos, 2012. "A Positive Theory of Social Entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(3), pages 335-351, December.
    6. Premyanov, Nikolay & Roma-Athanasiadou, Elli & Metta, Julie & Tsoniotis, Nikolaos & Angelidou, Margarita & Tsolakis, Apostolos, 2024. "Circular entrepreneurship via makerspaces towards fostering sustainable cities: A mixed-method approach with case studies," Other publications TiSEM 6d28810e-f503-4e9e-9737-7, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    7. Adalbert Evers & Jean-Louis Laville, 2004. "Defining the third sector in Europe," Chapters, in: Adalbert Evers & Jean-Louis Laville (ed.), The Third Sector in Europe, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Keshav Parajuly & James Green & Jessika Richter & Michael Johnson & Jana Rückschloss & Jef Peeters & Ruediger Kuehr & Colin Fitzpatrick, 2024. "Product repair in a circular economy: Exploring public repair behavior from a systems perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(1), pages 74-86, February.
    9. Kang Liu, 2025. "Contested circular economy and mixed social implications from practice: A scoping review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2154-2170, April.
    10. Pauline Deutz & Andrew E G Jonas & Aodhan Newsholme & Małgorzata Pusz & Heather A Rogers & Julia Affolderbach & Rupert J Baumgartner & Tomás B Ramos, 2024. "The role of place in the development of a circular economy: a critical analysis of potential for social redistribution in Hull, UK," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 17(3), pages 551-564.
    11. Daniel Arenas & Pablo Sanchez & Matthew Murphy, 2013. "Different Paths to Collaboration Between Businesses and Civil Society and the Role of Third Parties," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 115(4), pages 723-739, July.
    12. Thomas Siderius & Trevor Zink, 2023. "Markets and the Future of the Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1569-1595, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Manhart, Niklas, 2022. "The Mission Comes First: Exploring the Mechanisms of Organizational Sponsorship for the Acceleration of Social Start-Ups," Junior Management Science (JUMS), Junior Management Science e. V., vol. 7(2), pages 289-337.
    2. O. Vikhanskiy S. & A. Mirakyan G. & О. Виханский С. & А. Миракян Г., 2018. "Лидерство-служение как фактор социального предпринимательства // Servant Leadership as a Factor of Social Entrepreneurship," Управленческие науки // Management Science, ФГОБУВО Финансовый университет при Правительстве Российской Федерации // Financial University under The Government of Russian Federation, vol. 8(1), pages 100-109.
    3. Murphy Patrick J. & Pollack Jeff & Nagy Brian & Rutherford Matthew & Coombes Susan, 2019. "Risk Tolerance, Legitimacy, and Perspective: Navigating Biases in Social Enterprise Evaluations," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 9(4), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Nosheena Yasir & Nasir Mahmood & Hafiz Shakir Mehmood & Osama Rashid & An Liren, 2021. "The Integrated Role of Personal Values and Theory of Planned Behavior to Form a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Kyle Scott, 2026. "Defining the Social and the Good in Social Entrepreneurship: Stoic Ethics as a Conceptual Foundation," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 35(1), pages 216-242, February.
    6. Rafael Robina Ramirez & Pedro R. Palos-Sanchez, 2018. "Willingness to Comply with Corporate Law: An Interdisciplinary Teaching Method in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Reeti Kulshrestha & Arunaditya Sahay & Subhanjan Sengupta, 2022. "Constituents and Drivers of Mission Engagement for Social Enterprise Sustainability: A Systematic Review," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 31(1), pages 90-120, March.
    8. Paolo Pariso & Alfonso Marino, 2026. "Assessing the Circular Economy Transition in the EU: Predictive Insights From an Artificial Neural Network Model," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 538-556, January.
    9. Barbara Bradač Hojnik & Katja Crnogaj, 2020. "Social Impact, Innovations, and Market Activity of Social Enterprises: Comparison of European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-15, March.
    10. Letícia Salazar Serra & Solange Alfinito, 2025. "Consumer Behavior in the Circular Economy: A Systematic Review of High-impact Studies," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(6), pages 5315-5349, November.
    11. Robin Stevens & Nathalie Moray & Johan Bruneel, 2015. "The Social and Economic Mission of Social Enterprises: Dimensions, Measurement, Validation, and Relation," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 39(5), pages 1051-1082, September.
    12. Bachrach, Daniel G. & Patel, Pankaj C. & Turberville, Joseph S. & Cho, Younsung, 2025. "Veteran entrepreneurship and a sense of purpose: Military identity and entrepreneurial activity," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 24(C).
    13. Canh Thien Dang & Trudy Owens, 2024. "Non-governmental organizations’ motivation to diversify: self-interest or operation-related? Evidence from Uganda," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 76(2), pages 561-584.
    14. A. Rebecca Reuber & Eileen Fischer, 2026. "Looking beyond institutional influences on social entrepreneurs: key issues and an agenda for future IB research on social venture impact," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 57(1), pages 26-35, February.
    15. Noel Castree & David J. Keeling & Jerald Podair & Michael Pryke & Duncan W. Scott & Paul Lambe & Robert McMaster & Michael Slivka, 2005. "Book Reviews," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(8), pages 1471-1484, July.
    16. Tongyu Meng & Jamie Newth & Christine Woods, 2022. "Ethical Sensemaking in Impact Investing: Reasons and Motives in the Chinese Renewable Energy Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(4), pages 1091-1117, September.
    17. Babita Bhatt & Israr Qureshi & Suhaib Riaz, 2019. "Social Entrepreneurship in Non-munificent Institutional Environments and Implications for Institutional Work: Insights from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(3), pages 605-630, February.
    18. David Bruce Audretsch & Maksim Belitski & Georg Maximilian Eichler & Erich Schwarz, 2024. "Entrepreneurial ecosystems, institutional quality, and the unexpected role of the sustainability orientation of entrepreneurs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 503-522, February.
    19. Krlev, Gorgi, 2026. "Social entrepreneurship mechanisms for systems change: A structuration approach," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 41(2).
    20. Sommeno, Tigist Woldetsadik & Mersland, Roy & Randøy, Trond, 2024. "The impact of liability of foreignness on performance in hybrid organizations," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 30(2), pages 1-22.

    More about this item

    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:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:s1:p:148-169. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    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.