IMPLEMENTATION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN ROMANIA. ROLE OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN SHAPING PACKAGING RECYCLING-RELATED BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

The article highlights the need, definition and principles of the circular economy from a theoretical perspective and carries out an analysis of the packaging recycling issue in Romania. The research aims to determine the attitude of Romanian consumers towards packaging recycling and to identify the main correlations between socio-demographic factors and decisions to return recyclable containers. The study is based on a quantitative, survey-type investigation, implemented by using a standardized questionnaire, applied to a sample of consumers in Romania. At the same time, a qualitative analysis of consumer comments on social media platforms and relevant forums was carried out, in order to capture perceptions, dissatisfactions and motivational factors associated with packaging recycling. The data were examined using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, in order to validate / invalidate the research hypotheses.