Main Article Content
Abstract
The implementation of a circular economy holds significant potential to support environmental sustainability and economic growth. However, it still faces key challenges, particularly the negative public stigma toward recycled products and a sense of social prestige that discourages people from using them. Therefore, this study aims to conduct an in-depth analysis and identify solutions to address these issues. This research employs an exploratory qualitative method with a case study approach, focusing specifically on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that process tires in Sidenreng Rappang Regency. Data were collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. Informants were selected using purposive sampling, snowball sampling, and convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. To ensure data validity, triangulation was carried out by comparing information. The findings reveal that the implementation of a circular economy through used tire recycling businesses in Sidenreng Rappang still faces several obstacles, particularly in production due to limited raw materials; in marketing, which remains suboptimal and highly dependent on intermediaries; and in financing, as business capital is constrained by the lack of accessible funding support. On the other hand, public stigma toward recycled products is driven more by psychological and cultural factors—especially feelings of social prestige—rather than by product quality, which is actually quite good and durable. According to, MSMEs require tangible support in the form of easier access to capital, broader promotional efforts, and affirmative policies from local governments. Meanwhile, strategies to reduce stigma can be implemented through improving product quality and providing warranties, public education, stronger branding, the use of digital marketing, and active government involvement in promotion and supportive regulations.
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References
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References
Ahmed, S. K. (2024). How to choose a sampling technique and determine sample size for research: A simplified guide for researchers. Oral Oncology Reports, 12 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oor.2024.100662
Bocken, N., & Shirahada, K. (2025). Circular business models in Japan: Analysis of circular business transformation through an institutional approach. Sustainable Production and Consumption , 54, 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2025.01.015
Office of Cooperatives, SMEs, Manpower, and Transmigration of Sidenreng Rappang Regency. (2023). Key Performance Indicators (IKU) for 2023. Accessed on March 15, 2025, from https://sidrapkab.go.id/site/resources/dokumen/IKU_2023_DISKOP_UKM_250424.pdf
Djuniardi, D., & Rahmantya, YEK (2024). Introduction and Implementation of Circular Economy in Ciomas Village, Ciawigebang District, Kuningan Regency. BERNAS: Journal of Community Service , 5 (2), 1748-1753. https://doi.org/10.31949/jb.v5i2.8130
Donner, M., Verniquet, A., Broeze, J., Kayser, K., & De Vries, H. (2021). Critical success and risk factors for circular business models valorising agricultural waste and by-products. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 165 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105236
Dzulfikar, A., Paramita, AS, Syahrial, NA, & Sari, ER (2024). Marketing Performance Improvement Strategy in Green Entrepreneurship: Bandengan Waste Chairs and Tables: 4P Analysis. Jurnal Serambi Engineering , 9 (1), 7730-7738. https://jse.serambimekkah.id/index.php/jse/article/view/88
Efrat, K., & Øyna, S. (2021). An interaction orientation approach to SME-Intermediaries relationships. European Management Journal , 39 (4), 508-520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.10.004
Evertsen, P. H., & Knotten, V. (2024). Toward a collaborative circular ecosystem within the built environment. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 52 , 95-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.10.019
Feldman, J., Seligmann, H., King, S., Flynn, M., Shelley, T., Helwig, A., & Burey, P. (2024). Circular economy barriers in Australia: How to translate theory into practice?. Sustainable Production and Consumption , 45, 582-597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.02.001
García ‐ Quevedo, J., Jové ‐ Llopis, E., & Martínez ‐ Ros, E. (2020). Barriers to the circular economy in European small and medium ‐ sized firms. Business strategy and the environment , 29 (6), 2450-2464. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2513
Gupta, N., Sardana, D., & Lee, R. (2024). Dynamic capabilities that matter for business failure versus survival. Industrial Marketing Management, 116, 40-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2023.11.004
Hutomo, YP, Awa, A., & Setiawan, AB (2025). Training and Mentoring in Calculating Production Costs for Waste Recycling MSMEs in South Bogor District. Educivilia: Journal of Community Service , 6 (1), 24-39. https://doi.org/10.30997/ejpm.v6i1.16282
Hsieh, H. H., Yao, K. C., Wang, C. H., Chen, C. H., & Huang, S. H. (2024). Using a circular economy and supply chain as a framework for remanufactured products in the rubber recycling industry. Sustainability , 16 (7), 2824. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072824
Kirchherr, J., Piscicelli, L., Bour, R., Kostense-Smit, E., Muller, J., Huibrechtse-Truijens, A., & Hekkert, M. (2018). Barriers to the circular economy: Evidence from the European Union (EU). Ecological economics , 150 , 264-272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.04.028
Kristianto, AH, & Nadapdap, JP (2021). Dynamics of a Community-Based Circular Economic System Using the Causal Loop Diagram Method in Bengkayang City. Sebatik , 25 (1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.46984/sebatik.v25i1.1279
Masi, D., Day, S., & Godsell, J. (2017). Supply chain configurations in the circular economy: A systematic literature review. Sustainability , 9 (9), 1602. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091602
Mishra, R., Singh, R. K., & Govindan, K. (2022). Barriers to the adoption of circular economy practices in micro, small and medium enterprises: instrument development, measurement and validation. Journal of Cleaner Production , 351 , 131389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131389
Nugraha, R., Rahman, U., Suriadi, S., Sukriwa, S., & Basri, S. (2024). Training and Mentoring on Product Branding and Digital Marketing for Community Plantation MSMEs in Cenrana Village, Sidenreng Rappang Regency. BERNAS: Journal of Community Service , 5 (1), 1039-1054. https://doi.org/10.31949/jb.v5i1.6963
Nurfajriani, WV, Ilhami, MW, Mahendra, A., Afgani, MW, & Sirodj, RA (2024). Data triangulation in qualitative data analysis. Wahana Pendidikan Scientific Journal , 10 (17), 826-833. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13929272
Pruhs, A., Kusch, A., Woidasky, J., & Viere, T. (2024). Design for circularity in manufacturing industries–operationalization and decision support. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107376
Rizos, V., & Urban, P. (2024). Barriers and policy challenges in developing circularity approaches in the EU battery sector: An assessment. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107800
Safarudin, R., Zulfamanna, Z., Kustati, M., & Sepriyanti, N. (2023). Qualitative research. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research , 3 (2), 9680-9694. https://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative/article/view/1536
Semlali, Y., Elrayah, M., Sabri, M., Rahma, Z., & Bengana, I. (2024). How Can Industrial SMEs Achieve Sustainability through Cleaner Production? Green Marketing's Role as a Mediator. Sustainability , 16 (19), 8629. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198629
Shah, P., Dhir, A., Joshi, R., & Tripathy, N. (2023). Opportunities and challenges in food entrepreneurship: In-depth qualitative investigation of millet entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Research , 155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113372
Shen, L., Shi, Q., Parida, V., & Jovanovic, M. (2024). Ecosystem orchestration practices for industrial firms: A qualitative meta-analysis, framework development and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 173 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114463
Sumartan, S., Wahyuddin, NR, & Suriadi, S. (2023). Waste Counseling as an Instrument for Environmental Education: Increasing Public Awareness and Participation. Aruna Mengabdi Journal , 1 (2), 75-80. https://doi.org/10.61398/armi.v1i2.27
Syarif, R., Malik, AJ, Syahnur, KNF, Fitriyani, F., Riana, MA, & Arifin, I. (2022). Introduction to the Circular Economy Concept Through the Webinar "Circular Economy: Solutions to Waste Problems in Indonesia". Celebes Journal of Community Services , 1 (1), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.37531/celeb.v1i1.176
Szilagyi, A., Cioca, LI, Bacali, L., Lakatos, E.S., & Birgovan, A.L. (2022). Consumers in the circular economy: A path analysis of the underlying factors of purchasing behavior. International journal of environmental research and public health , 19 (18), 11333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811333
Takacs, F., Brunner, D., & Frankenberger, K. (2022). Barriers to a circular economy in small- and medium-sized enterprises and their integration in a sustainable strategic management framework. Journal of Cleaner Production , 362 , 132227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132227
Timilsina, B., & Nguyen, P. T. (2024). From awareness to practice: Insights from the managers of Finnish circular economy pioneering companies. Journal of Cleaner Production , 480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144150