Clarifications of the needs and regulations to support the Circular Economy in Western Russia

Abstract Circular Economy is a new driver for sustainable development in the European Union, initially focusing on climate change mitigation and nature preservation with the aim of economic growth maintenance. Nowadays, the new goals towards circular economy in Europe encourage innovative thinking and the development of new businesses and technologies that ensures extensive long term benefits in the form of new jobs, a healthy environment, competitiveness and increasing the quality of life. This thesis aims to investigate the current state of Russian legislation and its prepar-edness for the implementation of circular economy solutions in Western Russia, with a crucial focus on waste management field. For the purpose of study the process model of advanced waste management system for one of the districts in Western Russia is designed. With the aid of this model an examination of the development state of the industrial and utility infrastructure of the district in terms of the possibility to introduce the circular waste management system is carried out. Furthermore, the regulations of different authority levels in Russia that enable the implementation of circular economy in the waste management sphere are analysed in the paper. The results received are presented. The research identifies the clear trends for future circular economy development at least in the waste management field that are supported by legislation and necessities towards such improvements. Besides this, the research work describes the opportunities and fields for international cooperation in the investigated area