Socio-economic factors and community participation in household waste management systems

Abstract

Background: Community participation is key to the success of waste management systems. In multicultural societies, socio-economic factors greatly influence community motivation to participate in waste management systems. Therefore, this study aims to analyze socio-economic factors that influence community participation in waste management systems. Methods: The study employs Logistic Regression using data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) wave 5, processed with STATA 17 software. The sample consists of 1,823 individuals living in villages with established waste management systems. Findings: The results indicate that income, age, social participation, perceived environmental cleanliness, and the availability of waste disposal systems have a positive and statistically significant effect on individual participation. Individuals with higher income levels are more likely to contribute financially or engage in waste-related activities. Older individuals tend to show stronger participation, reflecting greater environmental awareness and social responsibility. Active involvement in community organizations significantly increases the probability of participation, suggesting the importance of social networks. Moreover, individuals who perceive their environment as clean and who have access to proper waste disposal facilities demonstrate higher engagement levels. These findings confirm that both socio-economic capacity and environmental context jointly shape participation behavior. Conclusion: Community participation is influenced by multiple socio-economic factors. Therefore, to support effective waste management systems, governments should not only provide infrastructure but also design targeted programs aligned with community socio-economic characteristics to enhance motivation and engagement. Novelty/Originality of this Article: This study extends prior household-level analyses by emphasizing individuals as independent decision-makers and potential key contributors to household waste management practices.