Abstract
This paper is a systematic review of studies that used multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to address plastic waste management. A literature search for scientific articles in online databases (Web of Science and Scopus) enabled us to identify 20 relevant papers from 2008 to 2021, spanning case studies in three continents. These studies focus on: plastics as a resource (material), plastics as a product (reverse logistics), and plastics as a problem (pollution). Content analysis methodology was used, with the focus being on how the authors used MCDA for managing plastic waste, which has relevance for researchers and practitioners. Alternative solutions were found for the selection of disposal methods for almost all types of plastic categorized in this review. The most popular method was AHP, followed by TOPSIS, outranking methods, MAUT/MAVT and simple weighted sums, with some studies including more than one method. The choice of criteria spanned operational (mostly), but also environmental and economic aspects to evaluate the alternatives. Less frequently, one finds criteria related to social, managerial, and political aspects. The weighting of the criteria was performed mainly by consulting experts, followed by decision makers. Representatives of the affected population or other stakeholders have been consulted only on a few occasions. The authors of the studies consider their application of MCDA was successful, highlighting mainly the importance of being able to encompass different dimensions in the evaluation of the alternatives and the transparency of the process. In most cases, a winning alternative emerged clearly, which sometimes was a combination of multiple strategies. We also report other recommendations of these authors concerning marine and terrestrial plastic waste management.
Highlights
The invention of plastic as a material dates back to 1909
More and more activities are focused on the lifecycle of plastics and on design innovation for end-of-life actions, to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution
The type of settings addressed by each paper, geographic information, the type of plastic dealt with and type of company or place involved in the case study are mentioned
Summary
The invention of plastic as a material dates back to 1909. As the world population increased and new technological developments gave rise to a very extensive use of commercial and industrial plastic-based materials, these resources became essential in the various different supply chains of many goods. More and more activities are focused on the lifecycle of plastics and on design innovation for end-of-life actions, to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. When a plastic component or plastic based good no longer works within the specified parameters which it has been designed for, it has reached its end-of-life. At this point it frequently becomes waste. Terrestrial and marine settings are being impacted and aquatic wildlife and ecosystems (both freshwater and marine) are being radically harmed
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