Abstract
The circular economy (CE) is a popular concept in the European Union (EU) space, which has been the subject of numerous research and substantiation activities. In the last years, there has been a growing interest in Romania regarding the characteristics of this new economic model and the principles on which it works. Referring to Romanian specialized literature currently available regarding the submitted topic, we consider that the theoretical part is insufficiently structured. In addition, by pointing out the applicability of the circular economy in Romanian space, we consider this to be represented mainly by the fragility of its effective and practical implementation. The examples of Romanian successes in the field of circular economy are limited, a fact that can be explained—from our perspective—through the aspect that in other EU countries, the process of development of CE has some precedents, a stronger background and a ”self-constructed” history in the topic. There is undoubtedly a necessity for adopting this new economic model, considering that, for the most part, Romanian economy is still dependent on the linear economic system. Starting from these arguments, the proposed article uses a thematic debate of the notion of circular economy, presenting, at the beginning, an incursion into the predominantly European variety of theoretical approaches. The selection of definitions and conceptualization is continued with an analysis of the stage of implementation of CE in Romania. The purpose of this approach is to investigate a niche identified in the Romanian space, not covered in the specialized scientific research and to expose the specificity of the process of transition of Romania to a circular economy, of the barriers encountered—namely, the problem related to the attitude and mentality regarding this new concept. We also point out that the intention of the study is to integrate a ”different” contemporary and very current economic concept into a real economy, and at the same time, to increase the visibility of its application at the level of a member country of the EU. The challenges encountered in the context of the increasingly present tendency in Romania of assimilating and complying with the precepts of the circular economy are also detailed, proposing, at the end of the study suggestions for improving the gaps identified at this level. The most realistic implementation of the circular model in Romania represents a qualitative plus for the human-society factor, as well as for the environment. In conclusion, we note that, despite the evolution of the number of theoretical approaches and concerns, the field of circular economy and the perspectives it proposes, continues to offer a favorable ground for further research.
Highlights
During the last years, it has been shown a growing interest by the academic and nonacademic environment to circular economy (CE), perceived as a concept in continuous evolution, which adjusts and consolidates its definition, boundaries, principles and associated practices [1]
It is emphasized that the central element of the CE is based on the notion of efficient management of resources, a process that extends to the proper planning of economic activities, beginning just before the resources are extracted from the environment, continuing as far as their integration into the economic system [13].The same group of authors [13] notices that CE embraced and promoted the ecological economics (EE) approach of its basic concepts regarding the scope of the economic activity in relation to the size of the environment, meant to offer the certainty that the economy does not harm the Earth’s capacity of support
We present below a press release from the Ministry of Environment, as Operator for the EEA Grants 2009–2014, issued on the 5th of October 2017 [60], regarding the organization of the conference ”Circular economy in Romania”, an event funded by the R004 Program ”Reduction of dangerous substances”, which tackled the following topics:
Summary
It has been shown a growing interest by the academic and nonacademic environment to circular economy (CE), perceived as a concept in continuous evolution, which adjusts and consolidates its definition, boundaries, principles and associated practices [1]. Regarding the circular economy applicability perspective in Romania, we consider the fact that the economic model promoted at European level met lately a fertile ground, auspicious to its manifestation and implementation. It encountered barriers in its path, especially at the conceptual and attitude level: the lack of a theoretically consistent framework regarding the notion of circular economy, the lack of an indispensable support granted by the specialized academic literature, the skepticism and insufficient involvement of the responsible entities in the process of assimilation and compliance with the precepts of circularity. To expose the specificity of the process of transition of Romania to a circular economy; To provide another perspective on the subject addressed, by exposing the given results and the suggestions to improve the identified gaps in the scientific research
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