Between refuse and recycle: asymmetric polarization in circular economy representations

The concept of the circular economy (CE) has gained increasing prominence over the past decade, yet its meaning remains ambiguous and often diverges from the original vision of early CE pioneers. Understanding how this ambiguity shapes public perceptions is critical for the effective design and implementation of CE policies. Drawing on a survey of 1281 respondents in France, this study examines individuals' familiarity with CE, their spontaneous definitions, and their prioritization of circular strategies using the 5R hierarchy (refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle). The results reveal a strong and asymmetric polarization of CE representations, structured around the acceptance or rejection of the refuse (sufficiency) lever. Recycling and reuse dominate spontaneous definitions, while reuse and recycling are prioritized when respondents explicitly rank CE levers. By contrast, refuse remains marginal despite its central role in strong circularity approaches. Socio-economic characteristics do not robustly explain this polarization. However, respondents whose preferences align more closely with strong circularity—consistent with the pioneers' vision—report higher levels of pro-environmental behaviors and stronger support for CE-related public policies. These findings highlight a persistent gap between weak and strong circularity representations and suggest important implications for CE communication strategies and public policymaking.