Syaifuddin Islami, Indang Dewata, Eri Barlian, Dewi Anggraini, Fajar Agung Mulia
This PRISMA 2020–aligned systematic review synthesizes a Scopus-indexed corpus spanning 2017–2026 on sustainable circular economy (CE) municipal/solid waste management systems (MSWMS) and their triple-bottom-line (TBL) outcomes. From 333 records, 90 studies met eligibility criteria and were mapped using bibliometric science-mapping (Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer) and full-text evidence-to-framework synthesis. Within the included corpus, the evidence base is concentrated in recycling/material recovery, organics valorization, and residual management, while prevention and reuse remain understudied. The review identifies four recurring mechanisms through which CE strategies are associated with outcomes: (i) substitution, (ii) leakage reduction, (iii) market formation/value creation, and (iv) inclusion/legitimacy. An integrative framework and eight evidence-informed propositions (P1–P8) outline boundary conditions and help explain variation in performance across contexts. Using a multi-level perspective (MLP), regime factors, financing/cost recovery, infrastructure readiness, enforcement, market maturity, and data/monitoring emerge as prominent moderators, while niche technology reliability and landscape-level participation norms further condition outcomes. Robustness checks indicate that the relative prominence of the core mechanisms remains broadly stable across quality and method subsets, but social outcomes are operationalized least consistently, pointing to a focused research agenda on social metrics and upstream CE levers. © 2026 The authors.
Department of Environmental Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, 25132, Indonesia; Department of Political Science, Universitas Andalas, Padang, 25163, Indonesia
