Author(s): Pardal, Ana ; Moreira, Anabela ; Galacho, Cristina ; Mateus, Dina ; Viegas, Laura ; Marcelo, Gaspar ; Ribau Teixeira, Margarida ; Manteigas, Vitor ; Pimenta Dinis, Maria Alzira
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/38347
Origin: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
Subject(s): circular economy (CE); sustainability education; higher education institutions (HEIs); environmental awareness; student engagement;; sustainable campus network (RCS)
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.
