Current Issues Regarding the Recycling of Consumer Products and Transport Performance from the Perspective of the Green Circular Economy

Abstract

Abstract The circular economy and the principles by which it is guided, has become the subject of more and more scientific works, the authors defining this green part of consumerism in multiple and diverse ways, but all focusing on the decision-making power of consumers and producers regarding the consumption of goods and services, respectively of the practical measures to maximize the recycling and reuse of the resulting waste. This research follows the evolution of the impact of the human factor on the environment at the level of Romania in the period 1948-2024, of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland (UEFTA-Liechtenstein) in the period 2010-2022, respectively 2004 - 2021. The main purpose of the article is to to determine the economic behavior models of the main actors on the global market, regarding the circular economy, with the aim of understanding their motivations and obviously to recommend the changes in mentality and implicitly the reactions, respectively the actions perceived to be strictly necessary for a sustainable use of raw materials and materials used in production processes. Of course, the concept of circular economy is one of vital importance for the entire human society, especially in the conditions of the demographic explosion predicted in the foreseeable future. For multiple reasons, this concept is absolutely decisive for avoiding the economic, social and ecological collapse of the entire planet we live on. The fundamental question we want to answer is “What are the main behaviors of consumers and producers regarding the circular economy?”, in order to be able to determine the current motivations, possibly future forecast and rewards that prove beneficial in the implementation of the principles of the green economy. The study is based on data related to GDP/capita, the recycling rate, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the number of vehicles with alternative propulsion.