Community Empowerment Based Waste Management in Subsidized Housing

A Case Study in Padang Pariaman Regency

Abstract

This study examines community empowerment-based waste management in subsidized housing areas in Padang Pariaman Regency. It aims to describe existing waste management practices, identify supporting and inhibiting factors, and formulate appropriate development strategies. The study employed a qualitative case-study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, documentation, and a Focus Group Discussion involving 12 informants representing the Environmental Agency, nagari government, housing developers and managers, neighborhood organizations, community leaders, waste-bank administrators, and residents. Data were analyzed using an interactive process comprising data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification, followed by SWOT analysis. The results indicate that waste management remains focused on waste collection and transportation, while waste reduction at source, household sorting, and reduce, reuse, and recycle practices have not yet become established community routines. Community empowerment has been initiated through socialization, community meetings, communal disposal facilities, and coordinated collection services. However, empowerment and protection mechanisms remain limited because participation is uneven, technical skills are inadequate, local institutions are weak, training is irregular, and waste management depends heavily on transportation services. The study concludes that Weaknesses–Opportunities strategies should be prioritized through regular practical training, provision of separated waste bins, institutional strengthening, reactivation of the waste bank, and the establishment of a coordinated waste collection schedule.