The concept and development of the circular economy

Abstract

The current setting of the society on a linear economy is proving to be unsustainable in the long term. The solution to the situation is the circular economy [CE]. The concept of CE has garnered attention not only in the public sector but also in the business environment and academic research in recent decades. It is young concept, what is reflected in its unclear theoretical foundations and the fact that the literature on this topic is not sufficiently explored. Understanding these theoretical foundations is crucial for shaping the concept of CE and its application in practice, as well as for combating negative phenomena such as greenwashing. This paper focuses on identifying key themes related to the theory of CE, including the definition of CE, scientific literature, the historical development of CE, theoretical framework, implementation forms of CE, and the R principles. Analysis of these themes provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in the field of CE and serves as a basis for further research and discussions in this area.