Transitioning toward circular economy: the role of stakeholders in sustainable plastic waste management – an empirical study

Purpose India, one of the highly populated countries, has a growing issue of plastic waste. Value creation to the wasted plastic will add a huge economic impact to the local society. This research aims to explore the plastic waste management practices of the stakeholders including waste processing companies and consumers from the study region–South India, to identify the challenges prevailing in the existing system. The study also aims to suggest strategies for responsible stakeholder engagement to achieve the goals of a circular economy. Design/methodology/approach The authors have adopted exploratory research using a three-pronged approach. In Stage 1, we collected data through multiple sources – the published literature, empirical case studies, field visits and interviews with local stakeholders including local communities and waste management companies. In Stage 2, we used intervention-based critical observations. The interventions were carried out in the form of awareness creation and distribution of dustbins in the study region, and the post-intervention responses were analyzed. In Stage 3, we used survey questionnaires to collect data from the public. We analyzed the data from all three stages and provided a collective viewpoint in the form of a conceptual framework and research propositions. Findings The study brings to light the primary role of consumers/citizens in achieving the desired goals of a circular economy. Responsible disposal of plastic waste through source segregation is the key to enable other players in the ecosystem to operate effectively. A developing nation like India can inculcate the habit of source segregation of household waste with support from the local councils. There is a vital need for collective partnerships and formal collaborations among consumers, citizens, communities, organizations and local governments based on the principles of circularity to save the world from the growing plastic crisis. This approach of circularity practices will provide economic, social and environmental benefits to developing nations like India. Research limitations/implications This research covers the local aspects of waste management with limited case studies and observations. A large-scale survey with participation from multiple stakeholders operating at various levels of the ecosystem can bring out further insights on the subject being researched. Practical implications The implications of the study shed light on the urgent need for responsible management of plastic waste through an integrated waste management system with multiple stakeholders’ engagement. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first of its kind in the study region. There is scope for wider applications of the research findings for researchers and practitioners in the field.