New horizons of efficiency and sustainability of the closed loop economy

This article is devoted to the consideration of current issues of efficiency and sustainability of the closed-loop economy. The paper considers the classical linear model of resource use: production – consumption– disposal, in which synthetic multicomponent substances that are not subject to natural decay for many decades predominate. An innovative approach is analyzed, contrasting the traditional linear model, the main goal of which is to prolong the life cycle of goods and materials. The paper reveals the key aspects that must be observed to form a stable and sustainable economic model based on a closed cycle of resources. It is shown that in the transition from a linear to a cyclical production model, it is necessary not only to use, but also to restore natural capital, which implies the integration of waste into natural cycles with minimal negative impact on surrounding ecosystems. The paper analyzes the main criteria and significant problems of the efficiency of a modern closed-loop economy, and presents the market share of cyclical business models by sector. The peculiarity of the Russian closed-loop model is revealed, which consists in prioritizing economic interests over environmental aspects. Russia’s strategic goals and measures are presented, including the creation of a specialized infrastructure for the collection, sorting, transportation and recycling of waste. The paper presents a forecast for the extraction of material resources taking into account current trends. Based on the results of the study, conclusions and recommendations are made.