Evaluation of barriers to circular economy practices in municipal plastic waste management

Plastic, a key commodity in daily life, has become a major environmental concern due to its non-biodegradability, toxicity, impact on ecosystems, and contribution to climate change. Addressing plastic waste is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Circular economy (CE) practices, which provide opportunities for value recovery, also present challenges for industry practitioners. Therefore, this study focuses on identifying and evaluating the challenges to CE practices in managing municipal plastic waste (MPW). Relevant barriers were identified through a systematic literature review and confirmed with experts’ ratings. An integrated Fermatean fuzzy set (FFS)–analytical hierarchy process (AHP)–decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach was employed to assess the significance and causal relationships of the barriers. Major obstacles to implementing CE practices in MPW management include the heterogeneous composition of waste, inefficient waste management facilities, illegal import/export of plastics, the absence of a global standard for plastic waste recycling, and informal collection practices. The findings of this study provide valuable insights that can help policymakers and industry practitioners develop effective strategies to reduce environmental contamination and hazards to human and aquatic life. This research is among the few that use FFS to evaluate barriers to CE practices in MPW management.