Statistical Dimensions of Circular Economy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the research is to study the various aspects of the circular economy in Bulgaria and the countries of the European Union.   Method: The article evaluates the circular economy by applying different statistical analysis approaches: multivariate statistical methods, convergence analysis and cross-correlation analysis.   Results and conclusion: First, as a result of the conducted dynamic classification of EU countries, it was found that the transition to a circular economy is most advanced in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Luxembourg. Second, according to each of the indicators included in the analysis, the absence of a process of general convergence and the presence of club convergence between the EU-27 countries during the period 2012-2019 was established. Convergence among countries in four of the clubs formed is relative, while in the others there is a process of transitional divergence and phase reversal. Third, based on the cross-correlation analysis, we find no relationship between generated and recycled packaging waste in Bulgaria from 2005 to 2019. Between these indicators in the European Union for the same period, there is reason to argue that there is a relationship that occurs within the current year. Fourth, the values of the indicators of waste utilization and rendering waste harmless clearly show that in Bulgaria the waste from economic activities is mainly landfilled, and this is associated with additional costs and leads to environmental pollution. Fifth, the taxonomic analysis shows the existence of minimal differences between the Bulgarian districts in terms of municipal solid waste management.