Factors Influencing the Enhancement of Community Waste Management Capacity in the Eastern Region

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) Examine the levels of innovation management, waste management awareness, waste management participation, and the enhancement of waste management capacity in the Eastern region.  2) Investigate the influence of innovation management, waste management awareness, and waste management participation on enhancing waste management capacity in the Eastern region.  3) Develop a model for enhancing waste management capacity in the Eastern region.  This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research.  For the quantitative research, the sample consists of 300 members from community waste management organizations.  The sample size was determined using a criterion of 20 times the number of observed variables, with participants selected through multistage random sampling.  Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation modeling.  For the qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 key informants, including community leaders and officials from relevant waste management organizations. The findings reveal that: 1) Innovation management, waste management awareness, waste management participation are at a high level, and the enhancement of waste management capacity in the Eastern region was at a moderate level. 2) Innovation management, waste management awareness, and waste management participation significantly influence the enhancement of waste management capacity in the Eastern region at a statistical significance level of .05.  Moreover, 3) the developed model, named the " The Eastern Region's Outstanding Waste Management Model," comprises Innovation Management, Awareness Building, Engagement, Behavior Stimulation, and Potential. Additionally, the qualitative findings indicate that enhancing waste management capacity in the Eastern region requires governmental support for community planning in proper waste management that adheres to hygiene standards.  This includes the adoption of automatic waste sorting machines, advanced waste incineration technologies for energy production, and the promotion of the use of residual waste for creating new products. Communities should also be encouraged to select eco-friendly products and organize training and public awareness campaigns. Educational and public outreach initiatives should instill knowledge about environmental conservation effectively and sustainably.The results of this research can serve as a foundation for formulating policies to sustainably enhance waste management capacity in the Eastern region in the future.