| Abstract: |
The circular economy transition requires consumers to make further efforts in
their waste disposal behaviors, by increasing waste sorting, repairing and
reusing products, and reducing the amount of waste produced. The literature
has identified several barriers to consumers’ adoption of these practices. In
this paper, we posit that such barriers can be ultimately linked to well-known
decisional biases and proceed to offer a review. In doing so, we categorize
biases into “cognitive”, referring to deviations from normatively correct
behavior, and “motivational”, encompassing behavior driven by desirability
concerns. We also survey the existing behavioral policies addressing the
identified biases, focusing on “nudges”, that is, interventions leveraging
biases to improve welfare. In our review, we call attention to the importance
of recognizing the relevant bias behind specific behaviors to identify the
best interventions to implement. By offering a conceptual link between biases
and circular economy practices, we also lay the groundwork for future
experimental investigation. |