Current issues in resource conservation in mechanical engineering

Abstract

Mechanical engineering is traditionally one of the most resource-intensive sectors of the global economy, consuming significant volumes of metals, polymers, and non-renewable energy resources, which necessitates the acute implementation of resource-saving principles. The contemporary problematics of resource conservation extend beyond simple reduction in consumption norms and transform into a systemic approach based on the concept of the circular economy, whose goal is to create closed production cycles where the waste of one process becomes the raw material for another. The relevance of this problem is amplified by global climate challenges, the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the increasing volatility of raw material prices. The theoretical foundations of resource conservation in mechanical engineering are based on three key pillars: material efficiency, energy efficiency, and waste minimization throughout the entire product life cycle – from design to disposal.