Exploring the Structural Relationships Between Legal Awareness, Compliance, and Supply Chain Efficiency in the Context of Thailand’s 2025 Plastic Waste Ban

Abstract

This study explores the structural relationships among legal awareness, compliance behavior, and supply chain efficiency in the context of Thailand’s upcoming 2025 plastic waste import ban. Employing a quantitative approach and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), data were collected from 200 industry professionals across key industrial zones in Thailand. The findings reveal that environmental legal awareness alone does not significantly influence compliance behavior; however, organizational readiness to comply strongly impacts legal adherence. Furthermore, compliance behavior significantly enhances the efficiency of the recycled plastic supply chain amidst evolving regulatory conditions. These insights underscore the importance of institutional preparedness, capacity building, and strategic policy formulation to facilitate industry adaptation and promote sustainable development in Thailand’s plastic recycling sector. The study offers policy recommendations to strengthen legal enforcement, industry support, and collaborative efforts for a seamless transition towards sustainable plastic waste management.