Barriers and influencing factors in the implementation of circular economy in Slovenian road transport

The European Union's commitment to sustainable development, exemplified by the Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlights the importance of the circular economy, especially for road transport companies. This study examines the current state of circular economy practices in Slovenian road transport through an inquiry of 151 logistic companies. Utilizing principal component analysis, five key factors influencing circular economy implementation were identified: knowledge and competences, company practices, strategies, regional development, and market presence. Additionally, seven barriers were noted: lack of knowledge, financial constraints, time limitations, space constraints, limited technology, management issues, and supply chain coordination challenges. Findings suggest that circular practices are often secondary to business profitability, with financially stable companies more likely to adopt these practices. Success in circular economy implementation requires investments in innovative technologies, capacity building, and strong management support. Companies in more developed regions tend to adopt circular practices due to better access to knowledge and incentives. These insights provide a foundation for future research, including comparative studies across transport sector in European Union and globally.