Optimizing waste separation in traditional minority communities: A game theory approach for sustainable municipal waste management

Successful solid-waste management relies heavily on citizen involvement and cooperation, particularly through effective source separation. By ensuring that waste is sorted correctly at source, costs are reduced, the quality of recycled products is improved, and waste handling becomes more efficient—resulting in significant cost savings for municipal authorities (MAs) and mitigating causes of air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination.

This study explores enhancing waste separation in local authorities populated by traditional minority groups through stakeholder cooperation. The aim is to improve economic, social, and environmental utilities while identifying the mechanism that best maximizes the well-being of all players involved.

Employing mixed methods and game-theory tools, we conduct twenty-one in-depth interviews with local minority leaders to define the parameters of the service function. The utility functions of all players serve as a basis for game-theory modeling that allow us to identify Nash equilibria, compare their efficiency, and formulate the mechanism optimally.

The results of the study show that when an influential local player fosters cooperation and trust among residents, effective waste separation is achieved, enhancing the well-being of all involved.