Integration of local culture in community-based waste management: A bibliometric analysis of global trends 2010-2024

The global increase in waste production has prompted a critical re-evaluation of waste management strategies, especially in developing regions where traditional approaches often fail to address complex socio-cultural dynamics. This study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature from 2010 to 2024, focusing on the integration of local culture in community-based waste management (CBWM) systems. By analyzing 312 documents sourced from the Scopus database, this study identified publication trends, thematic clusters, key contributors, and international collaboration networks using VOSviewer software for systematic mapping. The results demonstrate that social sciences dominate the field with 26.7% of publications, reflecting a strong emphasis on understanding societal behavior, cultural practices, and community engagement mechanisms. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia emerged as major contributors, with the highest publication output and citation impact, while Australia showed the highest citation efficiency per publication, underlining the exceptional quality and relevance of its research contributions. This comprehensive analysis reveals a significant transition in scholarly focus from purely technical and engineering-based solutions toward more participatory, culture-sensitive, and community-driven approaches in CBWM implementation. Key emerging themes include participatory action research methodologies, environmental sustainability frameworks, integration of traditional ecological knowledge systems, and multi-stakeholder engagement strategies. Leading institutions from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, particularly the University of Victoria and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, play crucial roles in advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. This study highlights the growing recognition of cultural sensitivity and local knowledge systems as fundamental foundations for sustainable waste governance, advocating for greater inclusion of traditional ecological wisdom in contemporary environmental policy frameworks and encouraging culturally responsive waste management practices that align with global sustainability objectives.