Rethinking repair and reuse: Circular consumption practices in Irish and Welsh community initiatives

O'Byrne, Megan 2026. Rethinking repair and reuse: Circular consumption practices in Irish and Welsh community initiatives. PhD Thesis, Cardiff.university. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The circular economy (CE) is a policy concept that promises to radically alter everyday consumption practices by transforming how we produce and use materials. Now a prominent feature of global environmental policymaking, the CE concept anticipates a transition towards circular consumption, where circular products, practices and norms become regular aspects of everyday consumption. Despite expecting widespread adoption of circular consumption practices, mainstream CE narratives reflect limited consideration for the social, material or political complexity of circular consumption. This thesis examines how circular consumption practices, like sharing, repairing and reuse, are facilitated through designated ‘circular community initiatives’ emerging in Ireland and Wales. This thesis explores the everyday experiences of individuals working in and using circular community initiatives, using multiple qualitative methods that critically examine circular policies and practices. This thesis provides unique insight into circular consumption practices by examining how they are performed and supported within collaborative, community-based contexts. In doing so, it considers where initiatives are operating, what materials they manage and who uses them to add depth to existing knowledge on circularity in relation to everyday consumption practices. This thesis introduces new knowledge on community-based circular consumption practices to the academic literature, while contributing critical insight regarding the significance of these spaces in relation to the anticipated CE transition.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	circular economy, consumption practices, community initiatives, comparative case study, Ireland, Wales, multiple qualitative methods, repair and reuse.
Funders:	ESRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	15 June 2026
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 09:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/187539

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