Strategy

In recent years countries, regions and cities in the European Union have taken more systematic approaches to promote the circular economy. Different circular economy strategies and action plans have been published with goals and vision that not only cover recycling, but also reuse, repair, remanufacturing, sharing economy, moving towards product-to-service and promoting multi-stakeholder approach. At the same time, the circular economy is still advancing with baby-steps today, because keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible requires a shift in the mindset of people and society, both at the political level and in the business logic of producers and sellers. All countries intrested in circular economy are looking for ways to measure its development more effectively. Today, everyone is lacking of data because it simply has not been collected or existing indicators have not been set to measure the development of the circular economy (Technopolis Group, 2019).

The countries that have set circular economy (including measuring its development) as their strategic goal have already achieved a certain degree of systematicity and consistency.

That is why Estonia has set the goal to develop a circular economic strategy document and action plan by 2021 to accelerate the transition towards a more circular Estonia.

The European Economic and Social Committee has published a study analyzing all the existing circular economic strategies in Europe, highlighting the different approaches and stressing the importance of involving various stakeholders and society as a whole.