BOGOR, Indonesia — Community-based waste management is emerging as one of Indonesia’s most promising strategies for tackling the country’s growing waste crisis. A 2026 study by Ike Elmasari, Muhamad Husein Maruapey, and Bambang Nugroho Yulianto from the Master of Public Administration Study Program, Graduate School, Djuanda University finds that collaboration through the Indonesian Waste Bank Association (Asobsi) significantly strengthens community participation, institutional capacity, and long-term sustainability of Waste Bank programs. Published in the International Journal of Finance and Business Management (IJFBM), the study concludes that stronger partnerships between communities, government, and the private sector are essential for achieving Indonesia’s Clean Indonesia 2025 target.
Indonesia generates more than 64 million tons of waste each year, with annual growth estimated at 2–4 percent. Beyond creating environmental pollution, unmanaged waste also threatens public health, local economies, and urban sustainability. While governments continue to improve waste collection systems, researchers argue that lasting solutions require communities to become active participants rather than passive recipients of public services.
One approach receiving increasing attention is the Waste Bank model, where residents sort recyclable waste at home, deposit it at local collection centers, and receive financial or non-financial rewards. The system transforms waste from an environmental burden into a resource with economic value while encouraging long-term environmental awareness. According to the researchers, Waste Banks have evolved beyond simple recycling initiatives into community institutions that combine environmental protection, social participation, and local economic development.
Why Collaboration Matters
Although thousands of Waste Banks have been established across Indonesia, many face operational challenges after their initial development. Limited funding, weak institutional management, declining community participation, and inconsistent policy support often reduce their long-term effectiveness.
The study argues that these challenges cannot be solved by individual Waste Banks alone. Instead, collaboration among multiple stakeholders is required, with Asobsi serving as the central coordinator connecting Waste Banks, local governments, private companies, academic institutions, and community organizations. By facilitating communication, sharing best practices, and advocating supportive policies, Asobsi helps create a more sustainable waste management ecosystem.
Research Combined Field Discussions and Literature Review
Rather than relying solely on surveys, the researchers adopted a qualitative research approach that combined an extensive literature review with an in-depth analysis of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) documents.
The study examined the outcomes of an FGD conducted on 15 February 2025 in Bogor Regency, involving 20 participants, including representatives from Asobsi, the Bogor Regency Government, environmental academics, and community waste management practitioners. The researchers also reviewed ten previous scientific studies, government reports, and policy documents related to community-based waste management. This approach enabled the authors to compare practical experiences with existing academic knowledge and identify collaborative models that could be replicated in other regions.
Community Participation Drives Success
One of the strongest findings is that community participation remains the foundation of successful waste reduction programs.
Communities actively involved in Waste Banks demonstrate:
- Higher environmental awareness.
- More consistent waste-sorting behavior.
- Greater commitment to maintaining program sustainability.
- Increased participation in environmental activities.
As noted during the Focus Group Discussion, community ownership of Waste Bank programs encourages long-term commitment. Participants emphasized that when residents feel responsible for the program, they are more willing to continue participating and support future improvements.
Waste Banks Deliver Environmental and Economic Benefits
The research shows that Waste Banks provide benefits extending far beyond waste collection.
Many successful Waste Banks have developed into local learning centers that offer training on waste sorting, organic composting, recycling, and entrepreneurship. These activities not only reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills but also generate additional household income through recycled products and circular economy initiatives.
The study also identifies several operational models currently implemented in Indonesia, including:
- Communal Waste Banks.
- Cooperative-based Waste Banks.
- Integrated Waste Banks.
- Entrepreneurship-oriented Waste Banks.
In Bogor Regency, an innovative Cluster Waste Bank model has emerged, allowing several Waste Banks to cooperate by sharing resources and strengthening their bargaining position when selling recyclable materials.
Asobsi Bridges Communities, Government, and Business
A key contribution of this study is its focus on the role of Asobsi, an area that has received relatively little attention in previous research.
Instead of examining individual Waste Banks, the authors position Asobsi as an institutional bridge that connects multiple stakeholders through collaborative governance. The association supports institutional strengthening, policy advocacy, network development, innovation, and knowledge sharing among Waste Banks throughout the region.
According to the researchers, successful community-based waste management depends on four interconnected elements:
- Active participation by communities.
- Supportive government policies.
- Transparent and accountable management.
- Continuous collaboration with private companies, universities, and environmental organizations.
Challenges Remain
Despite encouraging progress, the study identifies several obstacles that continue to limit Waste Bank development.
Among the most significant challenges are:
- Dependence on external funding.
- Limited regeneration of management teams.
- Declining community enthusiasm after initial implementation.
- Fluctuating prices of recyclable materials.
- Limited digital management systems.
- Weak institutional capacity in some Waste Banks.
The researchers also report that more than 78 percent of Waste Banks in the study area still rely on manual record-keeping systems. Digitalizing waste tracking, financial reporting, and incentive management is considered a strategic priority for improving transparency and operational efficiency.
Supporting Indonesia’s Clean Indonesia 2025 Vision
The findings suggest that community-based Waste Banks can play an important role in helping Indonesia achieve its Clean Indonesia 2025 agenda.
The study highlights several expected impacts:
- Reduced waste sent to landfills.
- Stronger environmental awareness.
- New employment opportunities.
- Additional household income.
- Improved community resilience.
- Greater institutional collaboration across sectors.
Bogor Regency has even established a target of developing 1,000 Waste Banks by 2025, reflecting growing confidence in the effectiveness of community-led waste management.
As Ike Elmasari, Muhamad Husein Maruapey, and Bambang Nugroho Yulianto of Djuanda University explain, effective waste management is no longer solely a technical issue. Sustainable progress depends on building trust, strengthening institutions, encouraging continuous community participation, and creating collaboration among government, communities, academia, and the private sector. Their analysis positions Asobsi as a crucial bridge capable of transforming local Waste Banks into a coordinated national movement for environmental sustainability.
The researchers recommend expanding this collaborative model to other regions while adapting implementation to local conditions. They also encourage stronger policy support, greater investment in Waste Bank capacity, wider adoption of digital management systems, and continued institutional development to ensure long-term sustainability.
Author Profile
Ike Elmasari, Muhamad Husein Maruapey, and Bambang Nugroho Yulianto are researchers affiliated with the Master of Public Administration Study Program, Graduate School, Djuanda University, Bogor, Indonesia. Their academic work focuses on public administration, collaborative governance, environmental policy, community empowerment, and sustainable waste management.
Source
Article Title: Community-Based Waste Reduction: The Collaborative Role of Waste Banks in Creating a Clean Environment
Authors: Ike Elmasari, Muhamad Husein Maruapey, Bambang Nugroho Yulianto
Journal: International Journal of Finance and Business Management (IJFBM), Vol. 4, No. 6, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijarss.v4i6.20
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