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

Ana Pardal (), Anabela Moreira, Cristina Galacho, Dina Mateus, Laura Viegas, Marcelo Gaspar, Margarida Ribau Teixeira, Vitor Manteigas and Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis
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Ana Pardal: Department of Applied Sciences and Technologies, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, 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

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-24

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.

Keywords: circular economy (CE); sustainability education; higher education institutions (HEIs); environmental awareness; student engagement; sustainable campus network (RCS) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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