Environmental Governance and Regulatory Challenges in Organic Waste Management Through Community Participation in Urban Indonesia

Abstract

Community participation is increasingly recognized as a critical component of sustainable organic waste management; however, its effectiveness remains constrained by regulatory, institutional, and socio-economic challenges. This study examines the regulatory framework, socio-legal determinants, and governance strategies for strengthening community-based organic waste management in Indonesia. Employing a socio-legal research approach supported by empirical analysis, this study investigates how legal frameworks, institutional support, infrastructure availability, and community practices influence participation in organic waste management. The findings reveal that Indonesia has established a comprehensive regulatory foundation through waste management legislation and national policies promoting reduction, recycling, and public involvement. Nevertheless, significant implementation gaps remain due to fragmented governance structures, limited coordination among stakeholders, insufficient infrastructure, and weak financial support mechanisms. Empirical results demonstrate that social and policy support is the strongest determinant of community participation, followed by community action, while environmental knowledge and attitudes alone are insufficient to generate sustainable practices. The study argues that effective organic waste governance requires a transition from a regulatory compliance model toward collaborative environmental governance based on circular economy principles. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable urban environmental governance strategies in Indonesia.