CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRACTICES IN THE BULGARIAN RAW MATERIAL INDUSTRY

Abstract

The circular economy, which promotes the responsible and cyclical use of resources, contributing to sustainable development is becoming more and more popular, especially in the European Union. The concept of switching from the traditional linear to cyclical consumption model leads to minimisation of waste and environmental pollution, and in this regard the New Circular Economy Plan is already in place. The great ambitions for changes in the industry are strengthened by the Green Pact (Green Deal). The publication presents an in-depth study of the literature on the subject, as well as the five business models through which, in practice, a circle is realised. It has been established that the literature in the context of the mining industry is extremely scarce, and the business models through which the processes in the industry are carried out are poorly studied. An up-to-date survey of 13 companies in the raw-material resources sector in Bulgaria is also presented, aimed at showing the extent to which they understand and apply the circular economy in their work. The results unequivocally prove that the concept is not new for the business.