An Incursion into Actuality: Addressing the Precautionary Principle in the Context of the Circular Economy

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) and the precautionary principle (PP) are two current and contemporary notions; however, they are far from being sufficiently explored and exploited, since each is considered questionable in part. Sensing a niche at the conceptual and scientific research level regarding the unitary approaches of the CE and PP, we carried out a parallel analysis of the notions of the CE and PP with the aim of evaluating and identifying areas of manifestation and interaction. By superimposing the two concepts in feasible situations and analyzing one notion in connection with the other, within the presented examples, the particularities of the CE–PP manifestation were obtained, as well as the consequences of the non-uniform application of the mentioned factors. Also, the results of the research support the hypothesis of the compatibility between the CE and PP in certain cases and attest to the usefulness of the PP in fulfilling the wishes of the CE. Despite the generally parallel existence of the CE and PP, these concepts are not mutually exclusive; the CE cannot be manifested discretionarily but only with certain standards and limits including the requirements imposed by the PP. The results obtained, combined with the provision of an analysis of the current state of knowledge in the field, make the proposed study a useful material for future in-depth research activities on the topic.