Scavengers Role in Sustainable Waste Management. Case Studies in Ngempon Subdistrict, District Bergas, Semarang Regency, Central Java Province

Puji Hardati1, R. Rijanta2, and Su Ritohardoyo2

1. Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Semarang State University, Indonesia

2. Faculty of Geography, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia

Abstract: Waste has been a problem mostly in big cities, but now it has spread to suburban areas. In fact, garbage is inevitable in our life as both a problem and potential source for living. This research aims to find out the role of scavengers as one of important components in waste management. Scavengers play mutual symbiosis relationship with the society in which they serve as social asset and at the same time they earn living from the activity. However, some parts of the society look down to their presence. As a matter of fact, waste management through dicsrimation and classification of organic waste and non organic one has created positive image on the scavengers who have given sustainable contribution to the environment.

Key words: waste, garbage, scavengers, household livelihood, waste management