The Impact of The Waste Bank Program on Community Social and Economic Change

Abstract

Population and income growth will encourage changes in consumer behavior, thereby increasing the waste produced. Proper waste management is very important to create a healthy and clean natural environment. Waste management must be carried out using a sustainable 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) strategy. Strategic action in overcoming the waste problem can be carried out through empowerment, namely the Waste Bank program. This research use desciptive qualitative approach. The number of informants in this research was five people, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection methods involve interviews, observation, and documentation. Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory is used to explain the implementation of the Waste Bank program, how this Waste Bank is a new innovation in waste management that is beneficial for the social and economic life of the community. The results of this research identified that the Mawar Waste Bank program was running well, thus having a good impact on social and economic changes in the surrounding community. The resulting social change impacts are: 1) Active as a resource person for education about waste management, 2) Opening new job opportunities, 3) Waste Bank as a forum for environmental awareness. Meanwhile, the resulting economic impact: 1) Creation of additional income, 2) Recycling business opportunities.