Effect of Circular E...

Transitioning to a circular economic model represents an imperative for sustainable development across industries; which relies on consumer adoption of product-as-a-service systems and responsible purchasing patterns. The study assesses the effect of circular economy values on consumers’ purchasing decisions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. The respondents (400) of the study entail the respondents randomly selected from eight districts across the AMAC (Phase I and II). The data gathering was done with the aid of a questionnaire while data analysis made use of frequency count, mean value and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The outcome of the study revealed that respondents disagreed on preferring to buy products made from recycled or sustainable materials (69.8%), considering a brand's environmental commitment before making a purchase (73.2%), choosing products that are designed for durability and long-term use (68.2%), and influenced by product certifications (e.g., eco-labels, sustainability seals) when making a purchase (66.4%). The findings indicated that the respondents agreed to avoid purchasing single-use or non-recyclable products (76.3%), prefer to buy second-hand, refurbished, or upcycled products instead of new ones (55.7%) and support businesses that provide product take-back or repair programs (62.8%). The result showed that circular economy value does not influence consumers' purchasing choices, including preferences for sustainable products (p > 0.05, r ≤ 0.5). The outcome of the study revealed that consumer behavioural patterns and perceptions are influenced by other factors than CE values. Future research should consider establishing the factors that could encourage or hinder consumer participation in CE initiatives.