Social entrepreneurship in Bali's solid waste management system

Abstract

The tropical Island of Bali is facing serious waste problems. Due to tourism development, population growth and changing consumption patterns the waste flow has rapidly increased, yet, like in most developing countries, the local governments in Bali lack the financial means and organizational capacity to deliver proper waste management services. Therefore, all sorts of social enterprises are now seizing opportunities to fill the service delivery gaps in Bali’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) system. These social enterprises propose all sort of inventive solutions for Bali’s waste problem and are trying to change the business as usual. Little is known about the functioning of social enterprises in SWM systems in developing countries. Even social entrepreneurship in general lacks empirical evidence. Therefore, this study aims to clarify what the characteristics and activities of the social enterprises involved in Bali’s SWM system are and to analyze how different institutional, financial, social, environmental, political and technical aspects influence the functioning of these social enterprises. Through an assessment tool, the performance and functioning of 11 social enterprises that are focused on waste collection and treatment are analyzed. It was found that the social enterprises provide inexpensive small-scale solutions that are adapted to the local context and are more effective than current waste management practices. By showing the huge potential of social entrepreneurship for SWM systems, this study provides solutions for ineffective waste management practices in developing countries and helps tackling one of the most pressing issues of today’s world.