Toward Circular Economy – Impact and Legal Regulation – Example of Croatian Plastic Packaging Producer

The idea of circular economy is becoming imperative concept that deals with waste and waste management all over the world. The circular economy represents approach needed for increasing world prosperity while at the same time reducing demand for the raw materials and minimizing negative implications. Circular economy is strongly connected with environment protection and creates savings for the companies which can create and sustain competitiveness on the market. Environment protection is becoming increasingly important and it is part of European Union policies toward better use of natural resources and better waste management. We have witnessed proposing and approving of several EU policies and regulative regarding use of plastic materials in packaging, as one of the main parts of circular economy waste management, and use of recycled materials. The paper analyses legal regulation of waste management in European Union and the Republic of Croatia. Paper will give example of Croatian plastic producer and how it has approached to the waste management and introduced partial circular economy in his production of plastic bottles and closures. As conclusion, we will give recommendations for further research about circular economy in Croatia and it influence on environment and national economy.