Analysis of barriers related to implementation of a waste management policy in Sfax city using ISM method

Authorities in developing countries are still trying to establish waste management policies and improve waste management systems. A waste management policy is crucial to establishing an effective and satisfactory waste management system. However, the implementation of waste policies is hampered by several multi-faceted and interdependent barriers. This study analyzes the barriers to the implementation of waste management policy that has been divided into two phases such as barrier identification and qualitative analysis. The identification phase led to the selection of thirty-one barriers based on literature and in consultation with experts and academicians. Hence, seven instruments were identified: Legislation and regulation, Economic instruments, Voluntary agreements, Education and influence over behavioral change, Monitoring, information, and performance assessment, Choice of technology and Community linkages. The Interpretive Structural Modeling qualitative analysis was used to understand the mutual influences amongst the seven instruments. The main results of our research indicate that the information and performance evaluation system is the basis for the failure to achieve the objectives set. This means that the lack of planning, monitoring and evaluation of waste management performance and the unreliability of the database due to the lack of disclosed studies on citizen behavior and the lack of dissemination of information constitute important barriers to the implementation of a waste management policy. A clear understanding of these barriers will help organizations better prioritize and manage their resources efficiently and effectively. The contribution of this work is to identify the obstacles to the implementation of the waste management and to prioritize them. The proposed structured model developed will help to understand the interdependence between barriers.