Inclusive Waste Governance Beyond Technical Solutions: A Case from Rural Indonesia

Abstract

This study critiques the dominance of technocratic approaches to waste management in Indonesia, which prioritize infrastructure and formal actors while neglecting social, cultural, and ecological dimensions. This case study was conducted in Ponggok Village, a tourist village in Central Java, categorized as developed and rich in water resources. Using the Integrated
Sustainable Waste Management (ISWM) framework and an ecological approach, this study highlights the limitations of top-down interventions and calls for a more inclusive and contextual approach to environmental governance. The findings indicate that local ecological knowledge and community-based practices, such as community service and customary practices, remain marginalized in policy, and existing policies have not yet become official regulations. This study proposes a multi-level partnership involving local communities, tourism actors, village governments, and global environmental networks. By situating local waste management practices within the broader discourse on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 17 (Global Partnership for Goals), this paper contributes to the debate on environmental justice and inclusive sustainability. This research also confirms that recognizing the role of local agents is
key to building equitable and resilient environmental partnerships in the Global South.