Circular economy – the role of the Environmental Life Cycle Assessment, opportunities, barriers and challenges

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an environmental management technique which, because of its potential, can be applied in many different areas. Its key role in increasing the efficiency of waste management is emphasised in the literature on the subject. This paper intends to make a contribution to the discussion on this subject and its primary goals are to present LCA in the context of implementation of circular economy and to assess the chances of popularisation of this concept in Poland. Based on own survey results, it was demonstrated that while the vast majority of respondents assured of their sense of environmental awareness, a little over 60% of respondents stated that they systematically segregate municipal waste. Thus making the transition towards a circular economy in Poland requires the increase in public's involvement and adequate education in this field.