Sustainability in the footwear sector in Portugal perceived by consumer habits

Abstract

Today, the damages brought by the linear production system throughout history are apparent, and at this moment, the harm caused to the bio- sphere and the depletion of natural resources are perceived, as endangering the well-being and even the survival of humanity. In Portugal, the footwear sector becomes worrying due to the observed expansion of economic values and con- sequently the use of materials and resources, namely synthetic hides and leath- er. This research starts with a brief characterization of the footwear sector in Portugal, followed by a contextualization of the importance of the transition from the current production scenario to a Circular Economy. It ends with a study of consumption habits through a survey. It raises reflections on the num- ber of products purchased per user, purchase motivations, forms of disposal, and familiarization with sustainability concepts. The collected information is analyzed under the principles of sustainability and especially the concept of the circular economy, which reveals impressive results and conclusions that can be extremely useful in developing new products and services for sustainability.