Reusable product trend can drive circular economy development

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The increasing use of reusable products among the public, especially the younger generation, is considered capable of driving the development of a circular economy in Indonesia as demand for more sustainable products grows.

Rani Septyarini, a researcher from the Centre of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), stated that the use of reusable products is fundamentally aligned with circular economy principles, which aim to extend product lifespans and reduce waste generation.

“This trend can drive the development of a circular economy because the use of reusable products is essentially in line with circular economy principles, namely extending the useful life of products and reducing waste,” Rani said when contacted by ANTARA on Wednesday.

According to her, the growing awareness among the younger generation regarding environmental issues is also changing public consumption patterns. Consumers are now increasingly considering the environmental impact of the products they use.

Rani believes this behavioural change can serve as a market driver for businesses to introduce more sustainable products.

She explained that today’s youth do not only consider price when making purchasing decisions, but also pay attention to how a product is produced, its impact on the environment, and the social values upheld by the company.

“As demand for sustainable products continues to rise, businesses will have the economic incentive to invest in more durable product designs, the use of recycled materials, and better waste management systems,” she added.

According to the researcher, a graduate of Airlangga University, the greater the demand for products that implement sustainability principles, the greater the opportunity for circular economy practices to expand across various business sectors.

She noted that this trend creates new business opportunities while simultaneously promoting production and consumption models that are more efficient in resource usage.

“This means that this change in consumer behaviour can act as a market driver towards a circular economy. The greater the demand for sustainable products, the greater the opportunity for the circular economy to flourish,” said Rani.