The new innovative principles and concepts of the Circular Economy

Abstract

The concept of Circular Economy works so that the industrialized processes can internalize effective solutions. However, they should be able to promote the engagement of people and governments through the promotion of public policies, investments in research, and diffusion of the need for a profound change in social behavior with respect to consumption of durable and non-durable goods. In this way, this article aims to present a brief overview of the global context of the principles of Circular Economy, including Brazil and some countries of South America. We tried to highlight some initiatives and trends in sectors of productive activities. For this purpose, scientific bibliographical reviews and informative and advertisement publications were carried out on websites in Brazil and abroad—in Portuguese and Spanish—aiming to present the stage of involvement of the productive sectors to this “innovative” concept. There is yet a limitation with regard to sources of consultation (research), which may in part compromise an in-depth analysis on Circular Economy, although this does not necessarily mean that there is no acceptance, or engagement of productive sectors with their principles. Finally, we see a long way to go, which necessarily involves a broad restructuring of the organizational culture and the processes of industrial production.