SOME RESULTS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE PRODUCTION OF CARDBOARD PACKAGING

Abstract

The dominant model of the economy, in the world and in our country, is still a linear model,
that is, a linear economy based on the assumptions that natural resources are available in
abundance, easy to obtain and cheap to dispose of. In contrast to the aforementioned, the circular
economy represents a regenerative economic system within which production resources, waste,
waste emissions and energy outflow are significantly reduced by slowing down, rounding off and
extending energy and material cycles (life cycles) in production. The paper will present the basic
principles of the circular economy and the results of their application on the example of a company
for the production of cardboard packaging in the Republic of Serbia. Through responsible business
operations, the company managed to achieve a significant shift in the optimization of production
processes and thus reduce the negative impact on the environment by minimizing the emission of
harmful gases, reducing energy and water consumption. The company also cultivates a B2B2C
model, according to which it collects information on how users use packaging and thus proactively
participates in the eco-design of packaging, which consists mostly of recycled and ecological
materials, paints and varnishes.