SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION PRACTICES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS - EVIDENCE FROM BULGARIA

Abstract

Taner Ismailov E-mail: t.ismailov@uni-svishtov.bg Doctor of Economic Sciences, Chief Assistant Prof. PhD Tsenov Academy of Economics Svishtov, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8329-1373   Anatolijs Krivins  E-mail: anatolijs777@gmail.com Doctor of Law (Dr.iur.) Daugavpils University Daugavpils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1764-4091     Abstract. The concept of sustainable consumption refers to the use of goods and services that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. There is a variety of researchers’ viewpoints regarding sustainable consumer behaviour, and while some researchers see it as a manifestation of voluntary simplification of lifestyle or anti-consumption, others define it as the adoption of environmentally friendly living practices. The sustainable practices applied by Bulgarian households that are the research focus of the present study. The scientific paper analyses the perceptions of Bulgarian households towards the implementation of sustainable practices and the extent of their popularity among households. The main challenges to the introduction of sustainable consumption practices also fall into the focus of the research. Households around the world apply various practices for sustainable consumption, the most common being composting, recycling, use of sustainable transport, repair and reuse of various goods, consumption of goods of local origin, etc. These practices are analysed in the present paper, presenting the results of a survey conducted among 191 Bulgarian households. The article gives a clear idea of the prevalence of sustainable consumption practices in Bulgaria, and on this basis are formulated the main challenges and recommendations for their wider integration among the population.