FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE SMOLENSK REGION: VECTOR AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

Abstract

The problem of transition to the principles of a closed-loop economy in the Russian Federation is reaching a new level. Government activities and national environmental projects contribute to this in many ways. The spatial development of the circular economy in the country is characterized by strong regional differentiation due to the influence of macroeconomic factors. The result of these processes is the difference in tariffs for waste management and their disproportionate growth, which is why the attitude towards the introduction of the principles of a closed-loop economy is perceived ambiguously by the business community. One of these regions is the Smolensk Region, where a linear economy with recycling elements prevails. The purpose of the article is to analyze the directions and prospects for the development of a closed-loop economy in the Smolensk region. The reliability and validity of the research results is ensured by the theoretical analysis of scientific literature, the analysis of statistical data, and the analysis of documents. Based on the analysis of documents and statistical data, the trends and dynamics of key indicators of the circular economy were analyzed. It has been established that within the framework of the waste management system in the Smolensk region, linear economy models with recycling elements prevail, the share of which has been steadily decreasing over the period under study. The region imports waste and accepts it from other regions, which have specializations for certain wastes. Based on the views of the researchers, it has been established that recycling innovations form conflicts of interest focused on preserving the old traditional models of the economy focused on short-term profits. The circular economy in the Smolensk region is characterized by a low degree of stability.