Spatial patterns of circular engagement and resilience in Romania

In the current global context, the circular economy has gained significant importance as a pathway towards sustainable development. At the core of circular economy strategies lie circular behaviours, individual and collective actions that support resource efficiency, waste reduction and local consumption. Increasingly, these behaviours are believed to influence and be influenced by individual- and community-level characteristics, particularly resilience. This study aims to deepen the understanding of the existing relations and dynamics through a nationally representative survey conducted in Romania, involving over 1200 respondents. The survey collected data on various circular behaviours and resilience capacity, at both individual and community levels. Findings reveal that both individual and community resilience are positively associated with circular behaviours, particularly the practices of sorting recyclables and reducing household waste. More interestingly, rural and urban environments display different behavioural patterns. In rural areas, the most significant contributor to resilience is the behaviour involving the reduction of resources, while in urban areas, behaviours such as buying local products and sorting waste show the strongest positive associations with resilience. The study also highlights an important generational trend: individuals aged 31–60, the core working-age population, are more actively engaged in circular behaviours than both younger and older cohorts. This suggests that circular engagement, at least for some particular behaviours, is driven less by environmental values and more by economic pragmatism and local ties. Based on these findings, the paper offers a set of recommendations for policymakers aiming to strengthen circular economy strategies through targeted behavioural interventions. Emphasis is placed on initiatives in regional contexts and key demographic segments to maximise impact.