Circular Economy Approach: The benefits of a new business model for European Firms

This study investigates the relationship between Firms’ Performance and the adoption of a Circular Economy (CE) Approach. Considering different “recovery-recycling” models embraced by European countries between 2003 and 2016, the empirical analysis aims to highlight benefits related to CE approach. Specifically, we built a sample of panel data, which involved 60 European listed companies producing several types of packaging (including plastic, glass, cardboard and metal), and raw materials (glass and paper). Over the last decades, the increasing attention to Circular Economy issues in Europe has been followed by an important regulation’s activity aimed to define a common policy on the production and treatment of waste. However, European countries due to their different economic conditions, experienced more or less effectively benefits of CE models which are still under-explored. Our empirical findings confirm previous economic literature (Ferreira N. et al. 2014; CIWM, 2016), pointing out better Perfomances for European companies adopting “Extended Producer Responsability” (ERP) scheme, such as PRO's Competition model. Empirical evidences suggested a positive and highly significant impact on Firms’ Performance as results of more competition among recovery organizations which can be justified by lower costs for companies joining collective recovery schemes.