Waste Banks in Surakarta: Economic and Social Impacts on Sustainability

Study Program of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Ketingan, Surakarta, Indonesia

^1* Corresponding Author: wiwitrahayu@staff.uns.ac.id

Abstract

This research investigates the socio-economic functions of waste banks in Surakarta, Indonesia, where the perception of waste’s economic value and environmental significance remains underdeveloped among some community members. Using a descriptive qualitative approach with 120 samples, the study aimed to map the social and economic roles of these banks and track their evolution. Results revealed that waste banks not only elevate community income but also introduce new communal activities, fortifying inter-resident relationships towards environmental conservation. Furthermore, through initiatives like sorting, recycling, and educational drives, waste banks have fostered heightened environmental cognizance, prompting a shift in waste management perspectives. Such interventions culminate in tangible reductions in waste generation and environmental preservation. These banks, therefore, serve dual roles: they reshape local waste perceptions while simultaneously providing economic incentives. For a holistic impact, governmental intervention through community empowerment programs supporting waste bank endeavors is recommended, underscoring the waste bank’s pivotal role in Surakarta’s sustainable development.