Ensuring the sustainable development of economic systems requires the introduction of organizational, management and environmentally friendly technologies, as well as innovative business models aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment. This is in line with the concept of "green growth" proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. As international experience shows, an increase in the level of environmental safety of the national economy can be achieved through the introduction of fundamentally new management tools based on integrated (combination of system, process, situational, functional) approaches, the concepts of "lean" production, sustainable development. The purpose of the paper is to clarify the essence and content of the term "circular economy" on the basis of generalization and systematization of existing conceptual approaches to the definition of this concept. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study are the scientific works of foreign and Ukrainian scientists on the problems of green economy, circular economy and environmental management. The study was conducted using general scientific methods: analysis and synthesis (to generalize the existing conceptual approaches and provisions, scientific developments on the development of circular economy and ecologization of logistic systems, clarification of terminology), classification (to systematize theoretical approaches to the definition of "circular economy" proposed by various scientific schools), structural and logical generalization (to clarify the essence and content of the term "circular economy"). Results. The evolution and preconditions of formation, challenges, and factors of development of circular economy are investigated. Existing scientific approaches to the definition of the concept of "circular economy" are analyzed and summarized, which are conventionally systematized into the following groups: section of economy, paradigm, strategy, model, system, ecological opportunity, recycling technology, tool of "green" economy, and type of economic activity. The term "circular economy" is proposed to be considered from the following positions: as a modern paradigm of development of logistic systems; as a new way of management in the conditions of digital transformations; as a strategic direction of sustainable development; as an economic model based on the technology of industrial waste processing in order to achieve sustainable business models in the national economy. Practical implications. The key goal of the transition to a circular economy is a paradigm shift in logistics, rethinking the value chain and developing new business models that must meet the current requirements and challenges of the global world. The practical significance of the results of the study lies in the possibility of developing recommendations for "green" transformation of logistics systems in a circular economy and regional strategies for industrial waste management in the economic regions of Ukraine, taking into account their specificity. Value/originality. The author's approach to the formulation of the category "circular economy" is theoretically substantiated.
