Use of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to Improve Plastic Waste Management

Abstract

This paper aims to propose improvements to plastic waste management performance via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using a survey’s structured questionnaire and hypothesis testing. The methodology has been applied to the metropolis of Salvador, Brazil’s third most populated city, although it can be used for other cities worldwide. All the indicators, constructs, and hypotheses concerning collection, sorting, and recycling came from a literature review. The dependence of the performance on efficiency, effectiveness, the municipality’s socioeconomic aspects, and the municipality’s infrastructure was evaluated, and both academic and practitioner public representatives were surveyed. Since almost double the minimum number of respondents answered the questionnaire and the PLS-SEM statistics showed that the modeling presents consistency, the discussion is relevant. The final results show that the respondents rated the volume of processing to be slightly more significant than the market maturity for the effectiveness of plastic waste management, which in turn contributes to performance. Once the positive influence of the municipality’s infrastructure on performance has also been verified, the Deposit-Return Systems (DRSs) should be considered for improvement, in addition to an increase in the availability of selective collection systems, contributing to the growth of both the recycling rate and business profitability, reflections of performance.