The Role of the Consumer in the Circular Management of SCG's: An Investigation for the PRISMA Project (Physical Internet Regenerative Sustainable Materials)

Circular economy necessitates the adequate remuneration of both the production chain and waste management, positioning the end consumer at the center of the recycling process. This study, which is part of the PRISMA project, evaluated consumer awareness and practices regarding the management of spent coffee grounds (SCG), highlighting a discrepancy between the awareness of environmental impact and the concrete actions undertaken. An online survey revealed that although participants acknowledge the importance of sustainability, there are no specific practices in place for the recycling of SCG. The results suggest the adoption of emerging technologies, such as IoT and blockchain, to encourage virtuous behaviors and improve traceability along the entire supply chain, thereby providing insights for future research aimed at strengthening the active role of consumers.