Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in Regional Solid Municipal Waste Management: The Case of Sverdlovskaya Oblast (Russian Federation)

Abstract

The circular economy entails the principles of rational waste management to the best advantage. Waste management in the Russian Federation is currently in a reform process, thus it is crucial to choose now the most efficient way for its development. Besides, in addition to general government strategic aims in such a vast country such as Russia, it is very important to take into consideration specific aspects typical of its territories, which will allow determining regional areas of activities. The article analyzes current municipal solid waste management in the Russian Federation. The case study is of one of the regions (Sverdlovskaya Oblast) characterized by some typical and specific problems which illustrate the results of the first stage of reforming. The authors analyzed the existing and planned mechanisms of state regulation in the waste management sector at regional and federal levels, and scrutinized changes in legislation. The development level of the circular economy in the region was determined on the basis of the index method. The life cycle analysis (LCA)-based evaluation approach made it possible to evaluate the economic efficiency of the production and economic activities at different stages of municipal solid waste (waste paper) recycling with due regard to externalities. The research showed that despite the current substantial economic potential of the secondary resources’ (waste paper) reuse, there was a low level of development of the circular economy index. Regional factors hindering and fostering the circular economy development were identified. Recommendations for improving the quality of governance of the municipal solid waste management were formulated.

Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in Industrial Solid Waste Management: Case Studies from a Developing Economy (Nigeria)

“…However, the CE model promotes the concept that a product that has been perceived to have reached its end-of-life in a particular system might be used as a raw material in another or the same system, as shown in Figure 1. The circularity principle further reframes the traditionall viewpoint by considering waste products as resources that could have an endless or multiple lifespans, with economic, social and environmental gains [14]. Socially, adapting the CE model can generate employment and foster greater social inclusiveness of the general public in environmental management.…”

“…On the other hand, opinion has been conveyed that firms and industries, both in developing and developed societies, are ever willing to embrace circular and sustainable business models in order to attain commercial differentiation, a competitive advantage and potential growth with economic benefits and hence, require expert support towards this objective [14,27]. It therefore becomes necessary that the CE waste management model that should be adopted by the industries operating in the developing economies be designed to reflect the unconventional business models under which they originate, operate and thrive.…”

The Circular Model in Disposal with Municipal Waste. A Case Study of Slovakia

“…The need to efficiently treat the waste is in some countries, including Slovakia, enormous [19]. However, the CE concept is also adopted by developing countries [5,20,21].…”

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“…Привлекательность модели в том, что придание бизнесу роли ключевого игрока в ее реализации позволит сэкономить значительные ресурсы государства и повысит ее легитимность в глазах общественности. Проявляет интерес к этой модели и Россия [Plastinina et al, 2019;Wiesmeth, 2020]. Переход на нее нередко сопровождается радикальной трансформацией и оптимизацией одних отраслей и полным исчезновением других.…”