The role of women in managing waste banks and supporting waste management in local communities

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims to describe women’s role with active participation in waste management within their communities. The environmental awareness education of citizens combined with the application of the ‘4Rs’ principle (reduce, reuse, recycle, and replant) is necessary to develop waste banks to resolve the issue of waste. Waste bank management is predicted to be the best solution for the municipal waste management and increases the public’s awareness of recycling household waste as a waste management strategy. An increase in awareness begins at the community level. Women can be as social capital in community with the capacity to move the community through their active role in waste management activities. This study considered citizens in Karang Resik, Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia and used the emancipatory participation methods of counselling, educating, and training. The results showed that the presence of a waste bank educated residents to be disciplined in managing their waste and provided extra income from waste collection. Moreover, it strengthened the social cohesion for women within the community. This study shows that local female administrators in family welfare empowerment programmes can be used as role models for other women and can provide a significant impact on waste management.