Development and validation of the Circular Behaviours Scale: A measure of householder behaviours for a circular economy

Moving towards a circular economy will require substantial behavioural change on the part of members of the public, as well as in business models. However, robust tools for measuring individual-level behaviours contributing to the CE are lacking. This paper details the development and validation of the Circular Behaviours Scale (CBS), a self-report instrument designed to assess individuals' propensity to engage in a broad range of circular behaviours, involving three separate studies. Study 1 reports a process of item generation, content validity assessment, initial item reduction and user testing. Study 2 applied Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory to identify a 9-factor subscale structure and further reduce the number of items. Study 3 validated the final 34-item scale, confirming the factor structure and demonstrating convergent, discriminant, and known-group validity, with low social desirability bias. The CBS captures circular behaviours across a wide range of ‘R’ principles (e.g. refuse, reduce, repair, reuse, recycle) pertaining to the circular economy, and spanning all stages of consumption (from acquisition, to use, and disposal), offering a more comprehensive measure than existing instruments. It provides a valuable tool for researchers seeking to develop empirical and conceptual understanding of waste- and consumption-related behaviours, and for policymakers aiming to assess and encourage behaviour change as part of circular economy policy.