Circular Economy as an Alternative to Green Economy

Abstract

There are two approaches to environmental conservation. The green economy replaces the negative impact of fossil fuels with more environmentally friendly alternatives. The circular economy, extending the life cycle of a product, is a model of production and consumption, including sharing, leasing, reuse, repair, restoration and recycling of existing materials and products for the maximum possible period. Are these two approaches complementary or mutually exclusive? In February 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on a new circular economic action plan, demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, non-toxic and completely closed economy by 2050. There is a tendency to shift the emphasis from the green economy to the circular economy.