Assessment and stratification of barriers to successful implementation of hazardous waste management using decision-making techniques

In the contemporary context, hazardous waste management has gained prominence within global environmental regulations. However, impediments pose significant challenges to effectively managing such waste. This study aims to identify ten barriers within the hazardous waste management paradigm, drawing from literature sources and insights from experts in the field.

The empirical investigation conducted in 2022 solicited the viewpoints of five managers and experts affiliated with a waste management firm in Kermanshah province, Iran. The decision-making techniques of DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) and interpretive structural modeling were employed to comprehensively comprehend the internal interrelationships and hierarchical structure of these barriers in hazardous waste management.

The findings reveal that the primary obstacles, as discerned through the hybrid approach combining decision-making trial and evaluation with interpretive structural modeling, are the lack of public awareness regarding hazardous waste recycling and the absence of comprehensive policies and regulations addressing hazardous waste issues. Notably, the deficiency in public awareness regarding hazardous waste recycling emerges as a causal factor, achieving a score of 0.54. This factor falls within the category of autonomous obstacles, exerting a potent influence with a strength rating of 10 and a relatively weak dependency of 1. Conversely, the inadequacy of policies and regulations addressing hazardous waste is identified as a causal factor with a score of 0.47, belonging to the category of connecting obstacles. It exhibits a robust penetration capability with a rating of 10 and a relatively strong dependency power of 6.

The proposed methodology is a valuable tool for policymakers and decision-makers, enabling them to discern the interconnectedness of barriers and their hierarchical arrangement within the hazardous waste management framework.