Reconfiguring waste governance for a resilient circular economy

KGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Decentralized waste governance in resource-constrained regions presents complex challenges where infrastructural expansion alone does not guarantee systemic resilience. Banyumas Regency, Indonesia, provides a critical case: following the abrupt landfill closure in ۲۰۱۸, the local government launched the “Sumpah Beruang” program, which initially reduced landfill-bound waste by over ۹۰ percent. However, persistent inefficiencies such as underutilized facilities, stockpiled refuse-derived fuel, and declining digital engagement exposed governance and market fragilities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Banyumas’s Zero Waste strategy by examining its institutional adaptability, financial resilience, and stakeholder dynamics, while situating its relevance within broader circular economy transitions in decentralized settings.METHODS: A convergent mixed-methods approach was applied, combining policy content analysis, institutional scoring, and financial benchmarking. Primary data were obtained through ۲۰ semi-structured interviews with government officials, waste operators, community-based waste groups, and industrial off-takers. Secondary data included facility operations, household surveys, and municipal records. Comparative benchmarking with international refuse-derived fuel systems and institutional frameworks was undertaken. Triangulation ensured validity across qualitative narratives, operational statistics, and economic indicators.FINDINGS: Results show significant upstream-midstream trade-offs. While landfill diversion exceeded ۹۰%, facility utilization averaged only ۵۸.۲۵%, and over ۱۶۰,۰۰۰ tons of refuse-derived fuel remained unsold due to unstable quality and limited market absorption. This paradox underscores the fragility of end-of-pipe solutions in circular economy contexts. Institutional assessment revealed the local public service agency governance model scored substantially higher (۴.۳۵/۵) compared to the technical implementation unit system (۲.۷/۵), suggesting improved fiscal autonomy and partnership flexibility. Stakeholder mapping highlighted asymmetrical power: cement factories and the state electricity company dominate refuse-derived fuel markets, while community-based waste management groups and households remain marginal actors. Financial analysis showed revenue dependency on household fees (more than ۸۵%), leaving the system vulnerable to non-compliance. Scenario modeling indicated that refuse-derived fuel co-firing could reduce up to ۱۴۰,۰۰۰ tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, representing United States Dollar ۰.۷–۱.۴ million in potential climate finance revenue if integrated with global carbon markets.CONCLUSION: The study reveals that transforming the current technical implementation unit model into a public service agency significantly enhances fiscal autonomy and stakeholder coordination. We propose an integrated framework combining institutional reform, digital citizen engagement, and climate finance instruments. As a single case study focused on Banyumas Regency, the findings may have limited generalizability to regions with different governance or market contexts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Circular economy ، Decentralized waste management ، Institutional reform ، Refuse-derived fuel ، Zero waste governance