The Future of Circular Economy: Person‐Narrative and Scenario Planning on Self‐Sustained Circular Business Ecosystem in Minimizing Plastic Waste

Abstract

This study focuses on plastic waste and the need for a circular economy approach to reduce its exploitation. The aim of the study is to explore alternative future scenarios for implementing a circular business ecosystem for plastic products or waste. The research uses scenario planning to address the uncertainty surrounding sustainability aspects. We conduct multiple interviews with individuals involved in plastic waste collection, recycling, and reduction. The study also creates personas through cluster analysis of questionnaire responses from 1000 respondents in six Indonesian regions. The research identifies four personas: the pure eco‐consumer, the market‐rational eco‐consumer, the exploitative consumer, and the eco‐consumer pragmatist. We use these personas to shape future scenarios for the circular business ecosystem, with a focus on consumer or community conditions. The research presents four scenarios for the future of plastic waste management: reducing plastic waste through a reuse model, recycling plastic waste for new material sources, recovering energy from plastic waste, and a throw‐away society. The findings emphasize the importance of safe working conditions and fair wages for waste workers, and they suggest that the private sector can contribute by formalizing public waste facilities. Policymakers and business initiators can use the research findings to develop policies and strategies that encourage the adoption of a circular economy business ecosystem for plastic waste management.