Systemic Interdependencies of Circular Plastics Ecosystems

This paper examines how circular economy ecosystems (CEEs) are enacted by investigating systemic interdependencies within emergent circular plastics ecosystems (CPEs). We present a qualitative case study on the plastics industry and show how systemic interdependencies, regulation, technology, markets, consumer behaviour, and collaboration form mutually reinforcing yet contradictory dynamics that shape plastic circularity outcomes. The findings reveal a set of core paradoxes at the heart of circular plastics transitions. Regulation operates as a layered and sometimes conflicting force, technological pathways are contested, market structures remain fragile and fragmented, and consumer participation is inconsistent. At the same time, collaboration proves fragile and difficult to sustain. Taken together, these systemic interdependencies generate what we term the “recycling for nothing paradox”, in that despite significant investments in the recycling, reuse, and reduction of plastics, misalignments across the ecosystem dilute or neutralize progress and limit the transformative impact. Conceptually, this paper advances CEE research by framing CPEs as enacted, adaptive, and contested processes embedded in material-specific contexts. Practically, this paper underscores the need to address the systemic contradictions rather than isolated drivers of plastics circularity to enable the effective transition towards CPEs and their value chains.