Perceptions of Industrial Waste Management in Coastal Communities of Biringkanaya, Makassar

Abstract

This paper aims to explore an assessment of the perception held by the coastal communities of Biringkanaya particularly those in Makassar on industrial waste management on socio‒economic and enviromental impacts on livelihood. Employing the qualitative research design, participants included the community members, leaders and activists in environmental causes in the sampled area. The study shows that in the view of residents industrial waste poses a threat to their livelihood opportunities due to water pollution, depletion of aquatic life and soil pollution. The community also complained of nonimplementation of the environmental laws and standards, as well as the failure of the government to ensure corporations acted faithfully towards the environment. There has been some attempts such as Grass root initiative to fight the act in as much as widespread involvement is hampered by the ‘failed trust in authorities and ‘‘ hopeless ‘’ feeling among the population. This work adds to knowledge in this area because it fills a knowledge gap by examining personal narratives of people in communities impacted by industrial waste, especially those in the developing world. This has brought the issue of increased community participation in environmental management and protection, better compliance with laws, and better corporate sustainability. The research results of this study enlighten the multifaceted correlation between environmental degradation and socio-economic vulnerability of dependant coasts communities.