Enabling sustainable circular economy in Indian municipal solid waste management system: an ISM and fuzzy MICMAC approach

Abstract

Purpose

Mismanagement of municipal solid waste (MSW) has led to resource depletion, ecosystem degradation and socio-economic risks, emphasizing the necessity to promote sustainable circular economy (SuCE) practices. This article identifies relevant enablers and unveils their interconnected roles in facilitating a municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system aligned with the principles of SuCE.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify pertinent enablers for MSWM systems based on SuCE principles, the study conducted a literature review and engaged experts from waste management sectors and academia to consolidate the final list of enablers. Following this, the study investigated the inter-relationships among these enablers using both Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) integrated and fuzzy Matrix Impact Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification (fuzzy MICMAC) with MATLAB.

Findings

The study identified a comprehensive set of 23 enablers and categorized them into four control measures instrumental for the effective integration of SuCE principles in the context of the Indian MSWM system. Notably, the analysis highlighted that “authoritative pressure” and “policy transformation” are the highly influential enablers.

Practical implications

The study emphasizes actionable implications for stakeholders in the Indian MSWM sector. Policymakers and governmental bodies can enforce “authoritative pressure,” “policy transformation” and “budget allocation”. Meanwhile, managers can focus on “promotion of SuCE awareness”, “formalizing the informal workforce”, “infrastructure modernization”, “stakeholder engagement and alignment”, “segregation strategy”, “disruption preparedness”, and “local-based strategy”.

Originality/value

This study proposed a unique ISM diagraph and cluster of enablers to enhance the novelty of the study.

Citation

Pati, S. and Agrawal, R. (2024), "Enabling sustainable circular economy in Indian municipal solid waste management system: an ISM and fuzzy MICMAC approach", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-11-2023-0395