INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GEORGIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract This article assesses the level of circular economy infrastructure development in Georgia in comparison with leading European Union countries. The analysis identifies key directions of circular infrastructure development, the extent of institutional support, and the degree of alignment between national legislation and EU standards. The main challenges include insufficient regional infrastructure, limited technological capacity for recycling, fragmented logistics networks, and shortcomings in data collection systems. The comparative analysis indicates that Georgia’s lag behind the EU average level of circularity reflects infrastructural, technological, and governance-related deficiencies. In the context of EU integration, the article recommends strengthening infrastructure and technological capabilities, improving monitoring systems, promoting public–private partnerships, and increasing citizen engagement, all of which are essential for the effective and sustainable development of the circular economy in Georgia.