Beyond the hurdles: Exploring policy obstacles in the path to circular economy adoption

By redefining growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits, and emphasizing the restoration and regeneration of natural systems, CE models present a transformative approach to achieving environmental sustainability and economic resilience. However, the adoption of CE models is often hindered by policy-related barriers, a challenge that has been underscored by numerous anecdotal evidences. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to identifying and analyzing the policy-related barriers that obstruct the adoption of CE models, particularly in the context of developing economies. This research adopts a three-step methodology to comprehensively understand these barriers. Initially, an extensive literature review was conducted to identify a preliminary set of policy-related barriers. This was followed by a survey, which gathered insights from experts in the field of CE from three Asian countries: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These countries were selected due to their increasing environmental challenges, and their nascent but growing interest in adopting CE principles. In the final stage, the AHP method was employed to quantify and prioritize these barriers. The AHP analysis revealed several key insights. Notably, it identified alack of clear regulatory frameworks, insufficient economic incentives, and limited awareness and knowledge about CE principles as the most significant barriers. These barriers, along with others, were found to vary in their degree of influence and interconnectivity, providing a better understanding of the policy landscape surrounding CE adoption.