Abstract:

The massive development of outlets, the excessive globalization, as well as the excessive and unreasonable consumption of products led to the massive increase of waste. Also, the current linear economy, in which non-renewable natural resources are exploited in order to extract raw materials from which end-products whose life cycle is relatively short are obtained, led to the massive increase of waste. In the context of solving these problems, we discuss the concept of circular economy (CE), which is based on technological, social and organizational innovation and involves the use of the same resources in several manufacturing cycles through the recycling and the reuse of some products. It also presupposes the shift from the use of fossil fuels to the use of renewable resources. The paper proposes a theoretical model on the correlation of the CE concept principles in the process of products/ services innovation - development in the current context in which the digitization of processes is being discussed more and more. The use of the model proposed may have favorable effects for the goods/ services companies, which have to adapt to current policies and legislation, since these raise the issue of reducing the volume of waste.