Social Capital Contribution and Community-Based Waste Management in the City of Cirebon

Abstract

The rapid population growth in the last decade, was followed by an increasing amount of waste. Community-based waste management becomes one alternative solution to reduce the waste run by the government and society. This study aimed to analyse the implementation of waste management and social capital contribution to waste management. A qualitative approach was chosen to solve the problem. The research location is in the “Secerah Pagi” Community in Merbabu Asih Village, Cirebon City. Community-based household waste management already using the concept of 3R i.e.: Reduce Reuse and Recycle. Waste management activities are coordinated by the “Secerah Pagi” community, which includes composting, manufacturing an organic-waste craft, greening, Trash Bank, making biopori and education. Social capital such as trust, norm, and social networks, which is owned by the society and the Secerah Pagi Community had a significant contribution in creating a healthy and clean environment through community-based waste management. The values developed in the community binds a sense of trust, commitment, and a profitable relationship that waste management is being conducted. The existence of institutional capital, in the form of adequate support from the government of Cirebon, motivates citizens in waste management.

Keywords: Social Capital, Waste Management