Organization and Mobilization of Resources in Community-Based Waste Banks Development in Makassar City

Abstract

Introduction: Makassar City produced approximately 102,371 tons of waste per day in 2021. This figure increased by 2.7% in 2022 (SIPSN, 2022). Most of this waste ends up in Landfill (TPA) due to the still low recycling capacity. Efforts to develop waste banks to address this issue have been undertaken in Makassar City since 2014. However, these efforts have still encountered failures, particularly related to sustainability and development. As a community-based effort, waste banks enable individuals to develop throughout the empowerment process by increasing the capabilities of small groups to add internal resources and expand access to external resources.

Objectives: This study aims to identify the organizational strategies employed by each stakeholder to meet the resource needs of waste banks and their limitations.

Methods: This study used a qualitative research methodology, with a phenomenological approach, to investigate the motivations and strategic stakeholders involved in two waste banks, namely Baji Pamai and Alburi. These waste banks are situated in the villages of Karawisi and Bitoa. Twenty informants were interviewed, including government representatives, program facilitators, RT/RW leaders, waste bank managers, and customers.

Results: The actors identified in this study include local government, NGOs, and private institutions. Resources in waste banks can come from actors outside the community as well as from within the community itself. Various measures are taken to meet resource needs and the ability to manage them, including: developing user-friendly technology, adopting a circular economy approach, and enhancing the capabilities of local organizations in managing them.

Conclusions: Each stakeholder has a distinct role in organizing and mobilizing resources for waste banks in Makassar City. However, it is still necessary to enhance the roles of existing stakeholders, especially in engaging strategic partners, to develop waste banks into self-sustaining institutions through a circular economy approach.