Results — Survey: Circular Economy

Q.1 Single choice 24 answers

1. Before today, have you heard, seen or read anything about circularity or the circular economy?

Yes, I am informed and knowledgeable

70.8% (17)

I don't know anything about it

20.8% (5)

Partially, I have some unsystematic information

8.3% (2)

Q.2 Single choice 23 answers

2. Which statement best describes your level of awareness and understanding of the circular economy?

Circularity is a core part of our mission and the products/services we offer

34.8% (8)

I've heard the term but don't think it applies to our organisation

21.7% (5)

We understand the concepts and have started exploring how to apply them in our business

17.4% (4)

I had never heard of the circular economy before today

17.4% (4)

We are aware of it but haven't discussed necessary actions or steps

8.7% (2)

Q.3 Multiple + exclusive 53 answers

3. Which, if any, circular economy practices or initiatives has your company adopted?

Redesigning products/services to reduce environmental impact

15.1% (8)

Introducing technology that reduces waste/pollution

11.3% (6)

Developing and implementing sustainable development measures

11.3% (6)

Developing a more sustainable supply chain

7.5% (4)

Setting recycling/reuse targets

7.5% (4)

Carrying out education/awareness/advocacy activities for the circular economy

7.5% (4)

Applying waste elimination measures

5.7% (3)

Conducting life cycle analysis studies of products/services

5.7% (3)

Reducing the use of primary natural resources

5.7% (3)

Searching for alternatives to eco-unfriendly products

5.7% (3)

Sharing labour, assets or equipment with another organisation

3.8% (2)

Offering customers repair, regeneration and recovery services

3.8% (2)

Introducing product take-back schemes

3.8% (2)

Registering production as ecological/circular

1.9% (1)

Applying financial measures/cost savings to increase business circularity

1.9% (1)

Other (please specify)

1.9% (1)

Q.4 Max 3 choices 55 answers

4. Which KEY FACTORS could lead your organisation to adopt more circular practices? (max 3 answers)

Potential cost savings

21.8% (12)

Help meet sustainability goals/strategy

12.7% (7)

Environmental protection

12.7% (7)

Meeting community/public expectations

12.7% (7)

Improving brand reputation

9.1% (5)

Increased demand from existing customers

7.3% (4)

Increased availability of recycling infrastructure

5.5% (3)

Government incentives to adopt circular practices

3.6% (2)

Meeting expected regulatory requirements

3.6% (2)

Addressing supply chain/material scarcity risks

3.6% (2)

Increased access to capital

3.6% (2)

Leadership team steers in that direction

1.8% (1)

Growing access to new/expanding markets

1.8% (1)

Meeting shareholder/investor expectations

0% (0)

None of these

0% (0)

Q.5 Single choice 23 answers

5. What are the main BARRIERS that could prevent your organisation from adopting circular practices?

No immediate reason for change

39.1% (9)

Lack of internal skills/capacity

17.4% (4)

Lack of financial support to offset costs

13% (3)

High costs

8.7% (2)

Lack of support/capacity from suppliers

4.3% (1)

Not clear where to start/what to do

4.3% (1)

Lack of government support

4.3% (1)

I don't know enough to identify barriers

4.3% (1)

None — I see no barriers

4.3% (1)

Technological limitations

0% (0)

Concerned about maintaining quality

0% (0)

Q.6 Single choice 24 answers

6. Which employee SKILLS or COMPETENCIES would be most important for planning and implementing circular practices?

Innovation, creativity and problem solving

45.8% (11)

Sustainability expertise

12.5% (3)

Systems thinking

12.5% (3)

Collaboration/stakeholder engagement

8.3% (2)

Communication/storytelling

8.3% (2)

Assessment/current state analysis

4.2% (1)

Business model awareness

4.2% (1)

None of these/not sure

4.2% (1)

Data analysis/modelling

0% (0)

Research and development expertise

0% (0)

Agility (flexibility)

0% (0)

Q.7 Max 3 choices 48 answers

7. What INFORMATION would be most useful when implementing circular practices in your organisation? (max 3 answers)

Existing technical solutions

25% (12)

Understanding circular business models

20.8% (10)

Understanding available government support

12.5% (6)

How circularity integrates into the supply chain

12.5% (6)

Introduction to the circular economy

12.5% (6)

Exploring/developing partnerships

6.3% (3)

How to carry out a business circularity assessment

6.3% (3)

What other organisations in my region/industry are doing

2.1% (1)

How to complete a product lifecycle analysis

2.1% (1)

Alternative suppliers/sources

0% (0)

How to conduct a waste audit

0% (0)

Nothing specific/not sure

0% (0)

Q.8 Multiple choice 30 answers

8. Where does your organisation currently get information about the circular economy? (select all that apply)

Peer/professional networks

46.7% (14)

Internal sources/staff research and expertise

16.7% (5)

Other

13.3% (4)

Regulatory agencies

10% (3)

Trade/sector association(s)

6.7% (2)

None of these

3.3% (1)

Unsure

3.3% (1)

Q.9 Open text

9. Please indicate the official name of the company you work for.

✏️

21

text responses received

Q.10 Single choice 23 answers

10. In what industry/domain does the company you work for operate?

Services

43.5% (10)

Local Public Administration

17.4% (4)

Agriculture (crop/plant production)

13% (3)

Industrial production (manufacturing)

13% (3)

Trade/Commerce

13% (3)

Livestock farming (animal husbandry)

0% (0)

NGO / Public Association

0% (0)

Q.11a Single choice 23 answers

11a. Average annual number of employees

50 - 249

47.8% (11)

Up to 9

26.1% (6)

10 - 49

21.7% (5)

More than 250

4.3% (1)

Q.11b Single choice 22 answers

11b. Annual turnover (or total assets owned by the company)

Up to 18 million lei

54.5% (12)

Up to 50 million lei

18.2% (4)

Over 100 million lei

18.2% (4)

Up to 100 million lei

9.1% (2)

Q.12 Single choice 23 answers

12. How many years have you been active in your company's field?

Up to 5 years

43.5% (10)

Over 10 years

39.1% (9)

5-10 years

17.4% (4)