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Modelling the Barriers to Circular Economy Practices in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu in Managing E-Wastes to Achieve Green Environment

Author

Listed:
  • T. Mahanth

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • C. R. Suryasekaran

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • S. G. Ponnambalam

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil 626126, India)

  • Koppiahraj Karuppiah

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, India)

  • Izabela Ewa Nielsen

    (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark)

Abstract

Owing to a heightened necessity, the consumption rate of electronic items has increased exponentially in recent decades, resulting in huge quantities of electronic waste (e-waste). Though increasing e-waste has many adverse impacts, it also provides an ample opportunity of recover value from the waste through circular economy (CE) practices. However, the adoption to CE practices is jeopardised by myriad barriers. This paper wishes to identify and evaluate the barriers that hamper CE practices in e-waste management. First, 30 barriers to the adoption of CE practices in India e-waste management are identified by reviewing the existing literature and conformed using experts’ inputs. Furthermore, based on the experts’ opinion, the thirty barriers are categorised into social, economic, and environmental categories. An integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework of fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratories (FDEMATEL) and fuzzy analytic network processes (FANP) is employed to understand the causal interrelationship and also to rank the barriers. Uncertainty about the profitability of the circular economy (E9), insufficient market demand (E6), lack of successful circular business model (E5), shortage of high-quality recycling materials (E4), and lack of adequate technology (EN6) have been identified as the top five barriers to the incorporation of CE practice in e-waste management. Out of these 30 barriers, 12 come under the cause group and 18 come under the effect group. Understanding the causal interrelationship and prioritization of barriers provide better insight into the barriers. This study offers some managerial implications that could assist industrial practitioners and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • T. Mahanth & C. R. Suryasekaran & S. G. Ponnambalam & Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan & Koppiahraj Karuppiah & Izabela Ewa Nielsen, 2023. "Modelling the Barriers to Circular Economy Practices in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu in Managing E-Wastes to Achieve Green Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4224-:d:1081276
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xavier, Lúcia Helena & Giese, Ellen Cristine & Ribeiro-Duthie, Ana Cristina & Lins, Fernando Antonio Freitas, 2021. "Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    2. Yu Hao & Yingting Wang & Qiuwei Wu & Shiwei Sun & Weilu Wang & Menglin Cui, 2020. "What affects residents' participation in the circular economy for sustainable development? Evidence from China," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1251-1268, September.
    3. Kirchherr, Julian & Piscicelli, Laura & Bour, Ruben & Kostense-Smit, Erica & Muller, Jennifer & Huibrechtse-Truijens, Anne & Hekkert, Marko, 2018. "Barriers to the Circular Economy: Evidence From the European Union (EU)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 264-272.
    4. Konrád Kiss & Csaba Ruszkai & Katalin Takács-György, 2019. "Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-21, September.
    5. Venkatesha Murthy & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2022. "A Review on Global E-Waste Management: Urban Mining towards a Sustainable Future and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Massimiliano Borrello & Francesco Caracciolo & Alessia Lombardi & Stefano Pascucci & Luigi Cembalo, 2017. "Consumers’ Perspective on Circular Economy Strategy for Reducing Food Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Kumar, Amit & Holuszko, Maria & Espinosa, Denise Crocce Romano, 2017. "E-waste: An overview on generation, collection, legislation and recycling practices," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 32-42.
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    1. S. G. Ponnambalam & Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan & Koppiahraj Karuppiah & Shakthi Thinakaran & Pranesh Chandravelu & Hon Loong Lam, 2023. "Analysing the Barriers Involved in Recycling the Textile Waste in India Using Fuzzy DEMATEL," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.

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