Development of the circular economy in Poland and the Czech Republic – a comparative analysis

The Circular Economy (CE) concept has gained significant traction in recent years, both in the academic and industrial sectors. Recognised as a potential game-changer in addressing the escalating environmental challenges posed by the linear economic model, the CE proposes a sustainable alternative that maximises the value of resources while minimising waste. Despite its increasing relevance, there needs to be more consensus on the definition and appropriate indicators for assessing the CE. This paper addresses these gaps by presenting an integrated analysis of various definitions of the CE and proposing a set of indicators. Five common elements across definitions of the CE were identified, and ten key indicators associated with these five elements were selected. Based on these indicators, the development of the Circular Economy in the Czech Republic and Poland was analysed. The findings show that Poland needs to concentrate its initiatives on streamlining waste management and preserving stability in dependency on imports of raw materials. Simultaneously, the Czech Republic should mitigate its burgeoning dependency on imports of raw materials and augment its resource efficiency. The research methods utilised in this study include literature review, content analysis, comparative analysis, and statistical analysis. The findings reveal significant insights into CE practices in the countries studied, leading to an improved understanding of CE from a theoretical and practical perspective.