Gender gaps in everyday circular behaviours: Implications for circular economy policy

Le résumé fourni par la source

Circular economy (CE) policies are often presented as gender-neutral, yet a growing body of literature highlights gender inequalities in everyday engagements with the household consumption work the CE transition will entail. In this paper we examine gendered dimensions of CE-related behaviours in Scotland, drawing on a nationally representative survey of 1516 adults. Using the Circular Behaviours Scale, we analysed nine domains of circular behaviours, including aspects of avoiding unnecessary purchasing, reuse and sharing behaviours, repair and recycling. Analysis explored how these behaviours vary by sex, and the extent to which differences between females and males can be explained by environmental concern, working patterns and time availability. Results show that female respondents report higher engagement than men in most circular behaviour domains, with gender gaps greatest among reuse and sharing behaviours, while males report higher avoidance of unnecessary purchases. While some gender differences are partially explained by differences in environmental concern, employment and time pressure, significant gender gaps persist after controlling for these factors, particularly in divestment and sharing behaviours. Furthermore, gender gaps vary depending on household composition, with the presence of children associated with narrower gender gaps in behaviours relating to borrowing and acquiring used items. These findings highlight how gender and household composition intersect to shape circular practices and suggest policies promoting CE engagement risk reinforcing existing inequalities if they fail to account for gendered divisions of labour and consumption work. Embedding gender-sensitivity into CE policymaking is therefore essential as part of a broader just circular economy agenda.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.