DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED COMMUNITY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT MODEL BASED ON THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONCEPT KHON KAEN PROVINCIAL LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1) Study the current issues and approaches to municipal solid waste management in communities; 2) Develop an integrated model of municipal solid waste management based on the circular economy concept; and 3) Evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of the developed model. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Key informants included: 1) Six representatives from government agencies involved in waste management in Khon Kaen Province; and 2) Six representatives from case study organizations that have successfully implemented waste management practices. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The research findings revealed that: 1) Municipal solid waste management in Khon Kaen Municipality still lacks continuous public participation. Additionally, the Office of the Provincial Administration Promotion in Khon Kaen Province lacks a clear management system, sufficient budget, personnel, and integration of circular economy principles into waste management processes; 2) The integrated municipal solid waste management model based on the Circular Economy concept emphasizes the 4Rs-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recovery-along with collaborative participation from the public, government, and private sectors. The model comprises principles, objectives, operational content, development processes, and evaluation criteria; and 3) A pilot implementation of the developed model was conducted, and data were collected using questionnaires and focus group interviews to assess its appropriateness, feasibility, and impact. The results showed that the model's appropriateness was rated at the highest level ( = 4.55, S.D. = 0.60), and its overall feasibility was also evaluated at the highest level ( = 4.78, S.D. = 0.44).