Factors Affecting Sustainable Consumption in the Era of Consumerism: An Empirical Study in the Context of Circular Economy

Sustainable consumption is one of the best ways to address global environmental challenges in an era dominated by consumerism. The circular economy model emphasizes reducing waste, maximizing resource use, and promoting environmentally friendly production and consumption patterns. At the same time, consumers play an equally important role in this change by making responsible choices that prioritize durability, repairability, and recyclability. But despite growing awareness, challenges such as the intention-behaviour gap and infrastructural barriers still exist, limiting the widespread adoption of sustainable practices. Bridging these gaps requires collaborative efforts across sectors and a cultural shift toward mindful consumption. This paper explores the importance of consumer behaviour, business strategies, and policy interventions in promoting sustainable consumption within the circular economy framework. Greater awareness and encouragement of responsible actions can help society transition towards a more sustainable future, ensuring both environmental preservation and economic resilience. A sample of 209 consumers were surveyed to know the factors that affects sustainable consumption in the era of consumerism and found that Consumer Environmental Awareness, Economic factors, Corporate Practices and Policy Implementation are the factors that affects the sustainable consumption.