Contemporary societies, whether they have reached advanced levels of economic and social development or are still developing, need to prioritise the implementation of circular economy practices. This will facilitate the shift towards regenerative, sustainable, and closed-loop industrial systems. For now, there are some efforts to encourage patterns of production and consumption through changes in economic trends, development of institutional frameworks, harmonising regulations in the field of environmental protection, and raising the level of social awareness to achieve, above all, greater efficiency of resources. Extensive literature that deals with monitoring the implementation of the circular economy already indicates the existence of numerous barriers in this process but also notices some incentives for raising the degree of circularity of the observed systems. In this paper, the question of whether a single value can represent the level of circularity of the chosen material/product chain is researched. An overview of barriers and drivers for implementing circular economy strategies is given to structure a proper metric framework in correlation to the research question. The objective was to simplify the monitoring of circularity by developing a unique index for comparing material/product chains in similar systems. This was accomplished by using the circular material use (CMU) rate introduced in the European Union and modifying it for financial data calculation. As a result, the circular economy index, which covers all 9R strategies (CEI_R), is obtained. The practical verification of model applicability was shown by determining the degree of circularity achieved for passenger cars in the four observed EU countries.

This paper examines sustainable industrial practices in Serbia, particularly in the mining and energy sector, focusing on the potential of flotation tailings and fly ash, as materials with the largest share in disposed waste in Serbia in 2023 (95%). It highlights the environmental challenges of mining waste and explores innovative approaches to waste management within the circular economy framework. The study analyzes the current state of mining waste in Serbia, particularly in copper mining regions in the east of the country. It discusses the potential for metal recovery from waste and its reuse in various industries. The research also investigates the use of fly ash from thermal power plants as a valuable resource in the construction industry and other sectors. The paper reviews existing initiatives and legislation in Serbia in order to promote sustainable mining practices and waste utilization. By presenting case studies and potential applications, the study demonstrates how implementing circular economy principles in the mining sector can contribute to environmental protection, resource conservation, and economic growth in Serbia. The comprehensive overview of the current state in Serbia provides a solid foundation for establishing a higher degree of circularity in the mining and energy sectors.

Waste-to-energy (WtE) is a key part of modern waste management. In the European Union, approximately 500 WtE plants process more than 100 million tons of waste yearly, while globally, more than 2700 plants handle over 500 million tons. Roughly 20% of the waste processed is bottom ash (BA). However, this ash can contain heavy metals in concentrations that may render it hazardous. This paper presents a study focusing on stabilizing municipal solid waste incineration BA using simple and industrially viable treatments. The Slovenian WtE plant operator wishes to install the stabilization process; thus, the samples obtained from the plant were treated (1) with a CO₂ gas flow, (2) with water spraying, and (3) with a combination of water spraying and a CO₂ gas flow under laboratory conditions. Thermodynamic calculations were applied to define potential reactions during the treatment processes in the temperature range from 0 to 100 °C and to define the equilibrium composition of the treated ash with additions of CO₂ and water. The standard leaching test EN 12457-4 of treated ash shows a reduction of over 40% in barium concentration and over 30% in lead concentration in leachates.

Limited global resources, climate changes, growing population, combined with demand for sustainable products, indicate the need for change of existing production and consumption practices. In order of achieving more regenerative, restorative, and circular economy, design has been recognized as a catalyst for moving away from the traditional linear economy model (take-make-dispose). As shifting focus from quantity to quality, and finding new ways of working in cooperation with the nature, slowly becoming paradigm, it is important for designers committed to sustainability to have in mind environmental, social and economic performance of product design. This paper aims to address position of different product design strategies correlated with circular economy concept, as well as the opportunities for designers’ to shift their mindset from the position of creators to solution providers.

Serbia's mining industry is at a pivotal moment, navigating significant environmental challenges while pursuing economic growth. The country's rich mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and lithium, present substantial opportunities. However, the sector's development is hindered by outdated technology, limited institutional capacity, and regulatory frameworks that complicate policy implementation aligned with EU standards. Key legislative measures, such as the Law on Environmental Protection and the Law on Waste Management, are in place, with ongoing efforts to establish a mining waste cadastre supported by EU funding. Despite these efforts, challenges remain due to inadequate institutional capacity and poor interagency coordination. The industry requires robust regulations, enhanced waste management infrastructure, and strategic investments to overcome these obstacles. This research underscores the importance of balancing economic development with environmental stewardship and social welfare to ensure the region's sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.