scholarly journals Adopting Circular Economy at the European Union Level and Its Impact on Economic Growth

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihail Busu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
European Union Level

Based on the findings of the economic studies on the implications of industrialization in the case of growing economies, this study aims to present the economic factors that are at the basis of the development of circular economy at the European Union level. Starting with the model of economic growth based on the recycling rate of municipal waste, human capital, productivity of the resources, and green energy use, three statistical hypotheses were validated through a panel data model with the use of EViews 10 statistical software. The analysis was conducted for 27 European Union countries during the time frame 2008–2017. The paper highlights that the circular economy model is determined by resource productivity, labor employed in environmental protection, recycling rate of municipal waste, and renewable energy use.

scholarly journals Sustainability of Circular Economy Indicators and Their Impact on Economic Growth of the European Union

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihail Busu ◽  
Carmen Lenuta Trica
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Environmental Taxes ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Multilinear Regression

In this paper, we develop a methodology for studying the sustainability of the circular economy model, based on environmental indicators, and its impact on European Union (EU) economic growth. In open-end systems, waste is converted back to materials and objects through recycling; hence, a linear economy is transformed into a circular economy (CE). Environmental factors support the argument for the sustainable implementation of a circular economy. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the sustainability of the CE indicators and to elaborate a multilinear regression model with panel data for determining the dependency of the main CE factors on EU economic growth. Starting with the model of economic growth based on circular material use rate, recycling rate of municipal waste (RRMW), trade in recycling materials, labor productivity, environmental taxes, and resource productivity as independent variables, six statistical hypotheses were validated through a multiple regression model with the use of the statistical software EViews 11. The research study was conducted for 27 EU countries, and the data was collected from the European Union Statistical Office (EUROSTAT), during the time frame 2010 to 2017. Based on econometric modeling, the paper highlights that circular economy generates sustainable economic growth across the EU.

scholarly journals Environmental Factors and Sustainability of the Circular Economy Model at the European Union Level

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Trica ◽  
Cristian Banacu ◽  
Mihail Busu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Environmental Innovation ◽  
Economy Model ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Resource Productivity

In this paper, we develop a methodology for studying the sustainability of the circular economy model based on environmental factors. In open-end systems, waste is converted back to materials and objects through recycling; hence, a linear economy is transformed into a circular economy. Environmental factors support an argument for the sustainable implementation of a circular economy. As humans are producing and using more and more matter and energy for the economy, the environment and recycling become more and more important factors affecting public health. The aim of this study is to present the economic factors of the sustainable development of a circular economy, based on the findings of the economic literature in the field. Starting with the Mankiw–Romer–Weil model of economic growth based on resource productivity, environmental employment, recycling rate and environmental innovation, three statistical hypotheses were validated through a panel data model with the use of the statistical software EViews 9. An econometric analysis was performed for 27 European Union countries between 2007 and 2016. The results highlight that the extended Mankiw–Romer–Weil model is determined by resource productivity, environmental employment, recycling rate and environmental innovation. Investing in recycling infrastructure and innovative resources is essential for the econometric model presented in our analysis, which is in line with the aims of environmental protection and sustainable economic growth.

scholarly journals Circular Economy Concept in the Context of Economic Development in EU Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zvonimira Sverko Grdic ◽  
Marinela Krstinic Nizic ◽  
Elena Rudan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Linear Means

The need has arisen to implement a circular economic model that enables economic growth and prosperity in accordance with environmental protection and sustainable development because of the current unsustainable linear means of production in the economy. The aim of this paper is to determine the application of the circular economy concept in member countries of the European Union from 2008 to 2016. The purpose is to analyse whether economic development measured by GDP (gross domestic product) affects the analysed circular economy variables. Based on the hypotheses set, an econometric model was formed where GDP was identified as an independent variable, while the dependent variables were the production of municipal waste per capita, the recycling rate of municipal waste, the recycling rate of packaging waste by type of packaging, the recycling of bio-waste, and the recycling rate of e-waste. The first part of the statistical analysis conducted using the Stata software package shows the Pearson correlation between the abovestated variables, while the second part explores the univariate regression model. The results point towards the conclusion that the application of the circular economy concept can ensure economic growth and GDP growth while reducing the use of natural resources and ensuring greater environmental protection.

scholarly journals Modeling the Circular Economy Processes at the EU Level Using an Evaluation Algorithm Based on Shannon Entropy

Processes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Busu ◽  
Mihail Busu
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Shannon Entropy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Second Law Of Thermodynamics ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Composite Indicator ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Scale Reduction ◽  
Evaluation Algorithm ◽  
Material Circulation

In this paper we propose a methodology to study circular economy processes based on mathematical modelling. In open-ended systems, waste could be converted back to recycling, transforming the economy from linear to circular. The concept of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics give the argument for a scale reduction of material circulation. As humans extract more and more energy and matter for the economy, the degree of entropy is likely to increase. Based on the findings of economic studies on the implications of industrialization in the case of growing economies, this study aims at evaluating circular economy processes at the European Union (EU) level using a Shannon-Entropy-based algorithm. An entropy-based analysis was conducted for the 28 European Union countries during the time frame 2007–2016. The modelling process consists of constructing a composite indicator which is composed of a weighted sum of all indicators developed by an algorithm based on Shannon Entropy. The weights assigned to each indicator in our analysis measure the significance of each indicator involved in the development of the composite indicator. The results are similar to the international rakings, consolidating and confirming the accuracy and reliability of this approach.

scholarly journals The objectives and legal instruments of Municipal Waste Management in the Slovak Republic

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
Martin Dufala
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Municipal Waste Management ◽  
Per Capita

In particular, two types of data are important for assessing the state of waste management in each Member State of the European Union — first, the amount of the waste generated per capita annually and waste recovery rate, second, the rate of waste disposal in accordance with the waste hierarchy. The latest available statistics on the amount of waste generated per capita are for 2018. While the European Union average is 492 kg of municipal waste produced per capita for 2018, the Slovak Republic’s waste production is slightly less than that, with an average of 414 kg of municipal waste produced per capita for 2018. On the other hand, Denmark with 766 kg of municipal waste produced per capita annually is at the bottom of the European Union ranking. The Czech Republic with 351 kg and Poland with 329 kg of municipal waste produced per capita on the average annually for the same period are in better position than Slovak Republic. Another important data for the evaluation of the state of municipal waste management is the rate of recovery of municipal waste, alternatively — the municipal waste recycling rate. Within this scope, the Slovak Republic performs considerably worse, both regarding the waste management objectives and in comparison with the European Union average, or in comparison with remaining Member States. While the average recycling rate of municipal waste in the European Union was 47.0% in 2018, the Slovak Republic recycled only 36.3% of municipal waste in 2018. The situation within this scope in the Czech Republic/Czechia (34.5%) and Poland (34.3%) were similar. Germany achieved the highest municipal waste recycling rate in 2018, up to 67.3%. Directly related to the rate of the municipal waste recovery is the high rate of waste disposal, especially in the form of landfill, which was in the Slovak Republic in 2018 amounted to 55.0%. Despite the high rate of landfill, we can speak of a reduction in the landfill rate of municipal waste compared to previous years. From the foregoing data of selected indicators of the average recycling rate of municipal waste, it can be deduced that the system of municipal waste management in the Slovak Republic is obviously flawed, in as much as municipal waste management lacks long-term management in accordance with the waste hierarchy. The said deficiency may result either from insufficient legislation pertaining to this area or failure in terms of its enforcement. 

scholarly journals How does renewable energy consumption affect economic growth? Evidence from the European Union countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 09005
Author(s):  
Natalia Davidson ◽  
Elizaveta Maksimova ◽  
Oleg Mariev
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy Consumption ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Impact

Research background: Fossil fuels are used at such a high rate that they are currently being depleted. Moreover, they are associated with a greenhouse effect leading to global warming. Meanwhile, green energy is naturally replenished and fosters sustainable development (Nelson and Starcher, 2015). However, the empirical evidence of the impact of green energy on economic growth is controversial (Adewuyi and Awodumi, 2017; Chen et al., 2020; Destek and Aslan, 2017; Zafar et al., 2018). Purpose of the article: This paper analyses the impact of renewable energy consumption on economic growth in the European Union (EU) countries. This is important in line with the goals of EU to shift towards green energy during the coming years (Directive (EU) 2018/2001). Methods: We use data of the World Bank and Our World in Data over 1990 to 2015 for 28 EU countries. We estimate the impact of renewable energy consumption on the countries’ gross domestic product. The control variables are labor force, research and development, and foreign direct investment. We apply the pooled mean group, mean group, the dynamic fixed effect estimators (Pesaran, 1997; Pesaran et al., 1999), and generalized method of moments (Arellano & Bond, 1991). Findings & Value added: Results show that the renewable energy consumption positively affects economic growth of the EU countries. We contribute by shedding light on the possibility to develop renewable energy, while achieving economic growth. The results have important implications for economic policy.

scholarly journals Innovative Solutions for Local Public Administration in the Process of the Waste Collection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Răzvan Aurelian Munteanu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Innovative Solution ◽  
Collection Cost ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Over Time

Sustainable development has always been one of the most important policies implemented by the European Union, mentioned in different treaties over time. In 2015, European Union is setting 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with 169 targets within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developement. European Union is preseting the SDG 11 Goal aim ”to renew and plan cities and other human settlements in a way that they offer opportunities for all, with access to servicies, energy, housing, transportation, green public spaces, while improving resource use and reducing environmental impacts”. The EU is monitoring the progress towards SDGs for all member states through different indicators, like the recycling rate of municipal waste for SDG 11. In 2018, Romania has the recyling rate of municipal waste of only 11,11%, far away from the average of EU of 47,4%. The local public administrations have an important role in increasing the recyling rate, by providing the best services for the citizens and, in the same time, by reducing the costs of these services. In this matter, the paper presents an innovative solution regarding the waste collection in the largest District from Bucharest, Romania. The underground waste collection platforms represent and alternative for the classic platforms and the innovation comes from the smart component that they integrate, represented by the filling sensors that communicate directly to the sanitation operator. The monitoring system has direct effect by incresing the efficiency of the waste collections process, as follows: reduces the waste collection cost by 50%; improves the services provided for the citizens; predicts waste generation patterns based on data; refines waste collection processes over time; optimizes routing and navigation etc.

scholarly journals Biopolymers and Biomaterials for Special Applications within the Context of the Circular Economy

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 7704
Author(s):  
Radosław Dziuba ◽  
Magdalena Kucharska ◽  
Longina Madej-Kiełbik ◽  
Konrad Sulak ◽  
Maria Wiśniewska-Wrona
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
State Of Research

The main challenge of the economy is counteracting the adverse effects of progressive industrialisation on the environment around the world. Economic development that accompanies this trend correlates to production increase in not only consumer articles but also special application articles that are difficult to remanufacture, such as medical supplies. For many researchers, discovering innovative materials for special applications that could become an essential element of circular economy production is important. Measures to reduce the production of industrial materials whose waste is difficult to recycle are more and more apparent to manufacturers, especially when faced with the new financial situation in European Union, as one of its priorities is to implement the principles of circular economy. The purpose of the article is to analyse the current state of research on special-application biomaterials within the context of the circular economy. Empirical analysis is conducted for Poland compared to the rest of the European Union (EU) within the time-frame of 2014–2020, which is the most recent financial timeframe of the EU. The submitted studies are based on secondary data obtained mainly from European databases, as well as primary data resulting from the research works at Łukasiewicz Research Network—Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres.

scholarly journals The impact of intra-industry trade on carbon dioxide emissions: The case of the European Union

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 203-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuno Carlos Leitão ◽  
Jeremiás Máté Balogh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Industry Trade ◽  
The Impact

The reductions of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are an essential objective of the European Union (EU) to achieving the reduction target by 20% by 2020. Along with energy consumption and agriculture, trade has a diverse impact on climate change. International trade usually negatively affects the environment, while the influence of intra-industry trade is more favourable. The paper investigates the impact of energy use, agriculture, and intra-industry trade on environmental pollution in EU countries using panel data for the period 2000–2014. The research frames the theoretical hypothesis that describing the relationship between agricultural intra-industry trade and climate change. The assumptions are confirmed by panel fixed effects, and Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimations, and the panel cointegration test. The empirical results have supported by the literature, and all variables used in this study are stationary applying panel unit root test. Results show that agricultural intra-industry trade, renewable energy is negatively correlated with climate change, confirming the less pollutant hypothesis, while economic growth and agricultural productivity induce environmental problems. This study confirms the theoretical hypotheses explaining the effect of intra-industry trade for agricultural products as well as the impacts of renewable energy use, agricultural land productivity, and economic growth on CO2 emissions.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Effectiveness of the European Union Countries Transition to a Circular Economy: Data Envelopment Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-151
Author(s):  
Zh. S. Temerbulatova ◽  
A. Zhidebekkyzy ◽  
M. Grabowska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Study Results

In the current era of overconsumption, transition to circular economy is a relevant problem for every country in the world. The main idea behind this economic approach is to break the link between rising wealth and overexploitation of primary natural resources. The article assessed the current and future state of the circular economy’s development in 27 countries of the European Union. The assessment was carried out using Data Envelopment Analysis based on data for 2019 of selected input and output parameters described by the circular economy. Generation of municipal waste per capita, Water exploitation index, Final energy consumption and Social Progress Index were used as input parameters. Circular material use rate and municipal waste recycling rate were output parameters. All data was collected from official reliable sources such as Eurostat, and the Social Progress Imperative website. The study results showed that as of 2019, 40,74% of European countries have high efficiency in the advancement of circular economy, 40,74% - sufficient, 11,11% - medium and 7.41% - low efficiency. However, the analysis showed very good prospects for the future progress of the circular economy in these countries, since the overall efficiency results in the CCR model range from 0.899 to 1 for all countries in the European Union. With the implementation of the New Circular Economy Action Plan, which was adopted in 2020 by the European Commission, the EU countries have the opportunity to fully turn to the circular economy and ensure the healthy, sustainable development of countries.

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