Analysis Regarding the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Romania

• Published in: Sustainability Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 333
• Main Authors: Topliceanu, Liliana, Puiu, Petru Gabriel, Drob, Catalin, Topliceanu, Vlad Vasile
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Business models; Capitalism; Circular economy; Comparative studies; Consumption; Ecology; Economic indicators; Economic models; Economic research; Economics; Energy efficiency; Environmental impact; Indicators; Innovations; Monitoring; Pollutants; Position indicators; Principles; Recycling; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Romania; Europe; Germany
• ISSN: 2071-1050; 2071-1050
• DOI: 10.3390/su15010333

The transition to the circular economy is a basic principle of the policy of the European Union, it is the chance for a cleaner world, an ideal world with “zero waste”. This document analyzes the implementation degree of circular economy in Romania through 10 monitoring indicators defined by European Commission in ”Measuring progress towards the circular economy in the European Union—Key indicators for a monitoring framework”, released in January 2018. In order to understand the paper, it was considered necessary to define the indicators with reference to the targets proposed by the European Union. The analysis of the stage of implementation of the circular economy in Romania was made by using the data published by Eurostat. Methodologically, a comparative study was carried out between the level of implementation of circular economy indicators in Romania and the EU and the position occupied by Romania among the member states was identified for each of these 10 circular economy monitoring criteria. Each indicator is analyzed and the causes and motivations that led to the obtaining of the mentioned values are identified. The results of the study show that Romania is in the upper part of the hierarchy for certain indicators, contributing to the achievement of EU targets. It also identifies the causes that delay performance in others, indicating future solutions, necessary to be adopted to remedy the situation. Implementing the circular economy requires long-term vision, political determination and consistency, and, last but not least, funding. In these directions, governmental measures must be taken to increase performance at the national level. In conclusion with an economy that is not sufficiently strong, and affected as it is by the current crises, Romania is moving forward on the path of transitioning to a circular economy.