Unlocking Sustainable Futures: How Daily Practices Shape the Circular Economy

Scholars are focusing more on research that promotes sustainable futures to tackle today's societal challenges. One exciting direction they're exploring is the idea of a circular economy (CE) as an "ecology of practices. " This concept helps us understand a field that's primarily driven by practitioners. By looking at various CE practices in different contexts, we can see how roles, disciplines, and future visions play out and shape the future. Sociologists study these expectations, encouraging inclusive conversations among all stakeholders to embrace the many ways CE can become a reality. This framework contributes to broader discussions in management studies, highlighting the power of everyday actions in shaping sustainable futures beyond CE. By acknowledging this, we can foster collaboration that might otherwise be held back by specific disciplines. Imagine if we all adopted simple, sustainable habits in our daily lives—like reducing waste or reusing items. These small actions can collectively have a huge impact. They can help shape a circular economy where resources are used efficiently and sustainably. But how do we ensure everyone is on board with these ideas? That's where inclusive dialogue comes in. By involving all stakeholders—from businesses to governments and individual consumers—we can create a more holistic and effective approach to sustainable practices. The idea of a circular economy is about more than just recycling; it's about rethinking how we use resources. It requires a shift in mindset and behavior, which can be challenging. That's why understanding how these practices are enacted in different contexts is so important. It helps us identify barriers and opportunities for collaboration. After all, sustainable futures won't be achieved by any single discipline or practice alone. It takes a collective effort, driven by shared visions and inclusive conversations.