Circular economy within sustainable development: A research on selected European countries and Türkiye

As it's known, sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The circular economy, which is seen as a production model that will ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals, is the recycling of waste materials to the economy. The element defined as waste in linear economy turns into a resource in circular economy - which is an alternative to the linear economy – so it's tried to prevent waste generation. As a result of the literature review, it has been seen that the effects of recycling rates - which are one of the important components of the circular economy - on economic growth are generally investigated. Studies analyzing the impact of circularity on development or sustainable development rather than growth are almost non-existent. The aim of the study is to conduct empirical analysis on the impact of circular economy on sustainable development in 30 selected European countires and Turkiye with a panel data set covering the period of 2010–2020 and to contribute to the existing literature. The study was carried out with panel data methods by using the resistive estimator Prais-Winsten (PCSEs). While the dependent variables of the 4 models established in the study are GDP per capita (Model I), life expectancy at birth (Model II), carbon dioxide emissions per capita (Model III) and Human Development Index values (Model IV); identical independent variables are municipal waste, packaging waste by packaging type, electronic waste, biowaste recycling rate and cyclical material use in production and the share of energy from renewable sources. According to the results of the first and fourth models established in the study; it's observed that the recycling rates of countries generally have a positive effect on GDP per capita and Human Development Index (HDI) values, in line with expectations. According to the results of the second and third models established in the analysis; it's observed that the recycling rates of countries generally do not affect life expectancy at birth and carbon dioxide emissions per capita, contrary to expectations. Key Words: Sustainable development, Linear economy, Circular economy, Recycling rates, Human Development Index (HDI)