Enablers and Barriers to Solid Waste Management Practices among Indian Informal MSMEs

This study analyses the factors impacting the adoption of diverse waste management practices (WMPs), for solid waste, by firms in an emerging economy, aligning closely with the goals of SDG 12: "Responsible Consumption and Production". We study informal Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which operate without the oversight of regulatory mandates or corporate social responsibility obligations, making them a unique case for sustainable waste practices. Making use of the latest available cross-sectional data on un-incorporated firms (NSSO 73rd round survey of 2015-16), the study identifies that larger, urban-based, and female-proprietor MSMEs are more likely to adhere to cleaner WMPs. Additionally, factors linked to higher financial resources, such as holding a bank account and larger capital size, further support the adoption of sustainable practices among informal firms. The classification of MSMEs allows for a nuanced understanding of the heterogeneity within the informal sector and provides insights into how SDG 12 objectives can be advanced through targeted interventions in the informal economy.