Circular economy in belarus: vision and prospects (survey results)

Abstract

The circular economy is considered as one of the most important priorities in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Belarus until 2035. This opens new opportunities for increasing the competitiveness of traditional sectors of the economy and preserving a favorable environment as well as actualizing the issue of the readiness of the Belarusian business for circular transformation. The purpose of the study is to explore how Belarusian enterprises assess the possibilities of this transition, as well as to identify the barriers and drivers for the development of a circular economy in the Republic of Belarus. The information base of the study consists in theoretical and methodological scientific research by domestic and foreign scientists devoted to the circular economy, regulatory and information materials of ministries and departments, as well as information from official sites and other Internet sources. The article presents the results of a series of surveys of Belarusian business conducted in the 2019-2021 period. The first survey dealt with the issues of waste management in the industry, construction, and trade in Belarus (the first quarter of 2019). The second one was designed to determine the level of understanding of the circular economy concept by Belarusian business using diagnostic interviews processed in the software product rep: grid get things straight by Dr. Rosenberger (2020). The third survey studied the possibilities of circular transformation in Belarus (2020-2021). The results of the study show that the development of the circular economy concept has not become widespread in Belarus, but there are already promising examples of the implementation of circular business models in the country. Representatives of the traditional (linear) business model intend to involve secondary resources in the production process in separate production areas. Enterprises with the elements of a closed cycle are focused on the full and efficient use of resources and are aimed at increasing profits, including through the introduction of circular innovations in any production processes.