Reducing plastic pollutants through catalyzing consumer roles: A novel application of fuzzy total interpretive structural modeling

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2022-02, Vol.335, p.130327, Article 130327
• Main Authors: Ali, Syed Mithun, Ahmed, Sayem, Ahmed, Humaira Nafisa, Sharmin, Aliza, Rahman, Rafat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Consumers' role; Emerging economy; Fuzzy-MICMAC; Fuzzy-TISM; Plastic pollutants; Plastic pollution
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130327

Globally, there is an increasing awareness of the need to reduce plastic pollutants. Understanding and including public participation along with the government efforts intended to solve the issue of plastic pollution is critical to the success of plastic pollutants reduction. Despite the recognized significance of this issue and the potential consumer contribution to solve this issue, there is a dearth of comprehensive and related researches concerning the role of consumers in emerging economies. The primary goal of this research is to advance and evaluate various consumers’ roles (CRs) for reducing plastic usage. To address this issue, a fuzzy Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (fuzzy-TISM) along with fuzzy Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (fuzzy-MICMAC) are incorporated. By using this hierarchical model, the analysis elucidates the indispensable relationships between CRs, as well as the driving and dependence powers of them, and constructs a level partitioning across them. Environmental awareness about the usage of plastic, preference for plastic free brands, desire to switch to a substitute product and actions to reduce reliance on plastic use are some of the implicit variables in the model. The study discloses most important initiatives for reducing plastic pollutants through catalyzing CRs. This study recommends that “clear perception of the adverse environmental effects of plastic pollution” and “use of social media to spread awareness” are the most influencing CRs to reduce the usage of plastic pollutants having indispensable linkage among them. While plastics are ubiquitous in everyday life, minimizing plastic pollution needs clear consumer knowledge and awareness in order to promote more sustainable plastic consumption. The results will help consumers understand their position in alleviating the adverse impacts of plastic pollutants, whilst policymakers will implement strategies that address CRs.