A pythagorean fuzzy approach to evaluate the challenges to implementing circular economy in the glass manufacturing industry: Implications for sustainable development

Glass is extensively used in both domestic and commercial settings and is recognized for its high recyclability and reusability. Organizations have been actively trying to adopt circular economy (CE) principles in various industrial sectors in recent years due to the increased global attention toward attaining sustainability. This study, therefore, proposes an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, combining the Pythagorean fuzzy (PF) theory with the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to prioritize and analyze the interrelationships within the challenges affecting the adoption of CSC practices in the glass manufacturing industry in a growing economy like Bangladesh. The challenges were initially identified through a review of existing literature. Following expert validation, seventeen components were chosen for analysis using the PF-DEMATEL framework. The obtained results suggest that "lack of consumer awareness and drive for circular practices"," inadequate regulatory framework for waste management and environmental protection", and " limited market demand for remanufactured products" are the most important challenges affecting the adoption of CSC in the glass manufacturing industry with prominence value 7.872, 7.614, and 7.315, respectively. Furthermore, the primary contributing factor is the "lack of consumer awareness and drive for circular practices", followed by "inadequate waste collection fleet" and "limited market demand for remanufactured products", which have causal weights of 0.77, 0.464, and 0.353, respectively. The study's findings hold the prospect of assisting managers and policymakers in crafting long-term strategy and expenditure decisions aimed at enhancing sustainability and resilience in the glass manufacturing industry. • The study examines the challenges influencing the adoption of circular economy in the glass manufacturing industry. • A Pythagorean fuzzy theory-based Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory framework has been employed. • The findings suggest that the ‘lack of consumer awareness and the drive for circular practices’ is the most significant challenge. • The study is expected to aid decision-makers in developing long-term plans to promote sustainability.