Factors of the circular economy development

Abstract

Subject. Today the circular economy is viewed as a new model of economic growth that allows overcoming resource constraints. Despite the general understanding that environmental problems are the main incentive for the transition to circular models of production and consumption, the underlying factors in the development of this economic model have not been fully studied in modern literature. Are circular production models available only to technologically highly developed rich countries, or, conversely, poverty and a total lack of resources are the best incentive for the development of a circular economy? Objectives. I study the influence of such factors as the general economic and innovative development of the country, as well as the State's innovating activity to form and develop circular models of economic growth. Methods. The research was carried out with methods of econometric modeling. Eurostat data were used as an underlying source of information. Results. The study showed that the high level of the national economic development positively influences the resource efficiency of an economy, but more advanced countries produce more waste in the consumption sector. Production and consumption waste recycling demonstrates better trends in less economically developed countries. Countries with substantial innovation expenditures tend to have more robust municipal and industrial waste recycling technologies, as well as a more effective use of secondary materials. The development of an e-waste recycling system is essentially dependent on government incentives for innovation in this area. Conclusions. The findings can be used for outlining national federal and regional programs for the development of production and consumption waste recycling mechanisms in Russia. Social entrepreneurship and business initiative may appear one of the priority mechanisms spurring the circular economy in Russia through traditional patterns of resource-saving consumer behavior.