Circular economy as a sustainable development practice: waste management mechanisms discussed at Samara Polytechnic University
In mid-April, the discussion about the future of the economy at the Samara State Technical University acquired a distinctly applied sound. On April 14, together with the Institute of Ecology of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, a round table "Introduction of circular waste management practices" was held in the format of a teleconference. The event was held under the auspices of the Sustainable Development Consortium and became part of the plenary session of the conference "Current Problems and Trends in the development of the modern economy", dedicated to the prospects of the circular model.
This format is of particular importance for the Consortium, as its activities are aimed not only at developing expert discussion, but also at combining the scientific, educational and practice-oriented potential of various organizations in the interests of sustainable development. It is on such platforms that modern competencies are formed, interdisciplinary approaches are developed, and mechanisms are discussed to translate the ideas of sustainable development into concrete solutions for regions, universities, and the professional community.
"Appointment of the Consortium"Sustainable development" is a combination of efforts of representatives of various directions and sectors of society to ensure the implementation of the ideas of sustainable development," emphasizes Rector of Witte Moscow University, Doctor of Economics, Professor Alexander Vyacheslavovich Semenov. According to him, it is coordination, the exchange of experience and the development of joint approaches that make it possible to transform sustainable development from a declaration into a practice - into a system of real projects, solutions and professional interaction.
The informative basis of the round table was provided by the report of Sergey Nikolaevich Bobylev, Head of the Department of Economics of Sustainable Development and Environmental Management at the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, UN expert. The speech "Circular Economy: Challenges of Sustainable development" outlined both global environmental constraints and the need to review economic approaches at the state and regional levels.
A practical dimension to the topic was given by Olga Vladimirovna Tupitsyna, who presented the tools of the closed-loop economy already used in the Samara region. The focus was on specific technological and management solutions in the field of waste management, demonstrating how the principles of circular economy can be integrated into regional practice.
The regional aspect of the discussion took a special place during the round table. The report of Maria Valentinovna Tereshina, Doctor of Economics, Professor at Kuban State University, "Regional closed-loop systems: from institutional design to practical implementation technologies" showed that the transition to a circular model requires not individual solutions, but a comprehensive adjustment of the regulatory framework, management mechanisms and technological tools. It is the combination of institutions, science and practice that has been identified as one of the key conditions for the effective implementation of closed-loop models.
The scientific meeting was moderated by Anna Sergeevna Zotova, Vice Rector for International Cooperation at Samara Polytechnic University, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor, who set a meaningful and dynamic discussion format. The round table became a space for a meaningful exchange of scientific approaches and practical solutions, confirming that the circular economy today is not only the subject of academic analysis, but also one of the effective tools for the sustainable transformation of territories and industries.
Holding such events under the auspices of the Sustainable Development Consortium is especially important because it allows combining the research agenda, the educational mission of universities and the demand for real transformation. For the Consortium, such meetings are valuable as a mechanism for forming an expert community, spreading best practices and promoting solutions focused on the rational use of resources, reducing environmental burden and developing a sustainable (ESG-oriented) development model.