Factors determining the public receptivity regarding waste sorting: A case study in Surabaya city, Indonesia

Waste sorting at the source has been enforced by the Government of Indonesia since the implementation of the Waste Management Law No. 18 Year 2008. However, waste sorting is still not a popular practice in households. We present the findings of a survey conducted for 900 households’ receptivity regarding waste sorting at the source. A logistic regression model allowed us to examine the socio-economic characteristics determining the public receptivity regarding waste sorting at the source. The results show that household heads’ years of education, family members, current sorting practices and understanding of sorting obligations, are the factors determining the public receptivity regarding waste sorting at the source. Moreover, we also assessed the main reasons why households have not practiced waste sorting at the source yet. The three main reasons are mixed collection and transport (26%), lack of sorting facilities (23%), and lack of time (22%). The findings provide useful insight for the local government in developing mechanisms for the implementation of waste sorting at the source on larger scales as a part of the waste reduction program.