An overview of closed-loop economy assessment methods

The goals related to the transition to a closed-loop economy remain relevant due to the fact that this concept expands the boundaries of environmental sustainability through the ideas of transforming products and waste in the context of effective interaction between the safety of ecological systems and the stability of economic growth. Alongside the possibilities of the closed-loop economy, theoretical and methodological issues regarding the evaluation of the effectiveness of its practices are expanding. At present, there is no generally accepted way to measure a closed-loop economy as a whole, at individual levels (macro, meso, micro), or within the framework of various principles (“R”-strategies). The aim of the work is to systematize existing scientific research on the subject of closed-loop economy assessment, and to conduct their overview analysis. The article uses general theoretical methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison and classification, which meets the objectives of a descriptive review. Secondary data analysis is chosen as the main method. The study made it possible to trace trends, systematize approaches to assessing the closed-loop economy and gain an up-to-date understanding of the dynamics of scientific knowledge regarding methods of its assessment. We define reference points for categorization and structuring of indicators of the closed-loop economy and classify approaches to its assessment. The review identified a number of methodological problems: assessment methods should be based on generally accepted definitions and principles of the closed-loop economy, its established strategies and business models, as well as comply with national objectives and national strategies in the field of sustainable development and take into account industry and regional specifics. The assessment methods studied in the work are systematized and classified relative to the level of application of closed-loop economics practices (at the micro, meso, and macro levels), which can help strengthen the effective subjectivity of multi-level actors in the implementation of closed-loop economy projects.