Determinants of public acceptance of waste-to-energy policies: Implications for renewable energy transition and sustainable development

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) is increasingly recognized globally as a pivotal strategy for reducing dependence on landfills and facilitating the transition to renewable energy. However, public acceptance of WtE remains a significant challenge, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of the Global South. Although extensive international research has explored the technological and environmental aspects of WtE, a notable research gap persists regarding the interplay of operational performance, implementation processes, strategic outcomes, and socio-behavioral factors in shaping public acceptance in emerging markets. This underscores both the relevance and originality of the present study. To address this gap, this research investigates the determinants of willingness to accept (WTA) WtE policies by examining three primary factors: Factor 1: WtE Operational Effectiveness, Factor 2: WtE Implementation Support, and Factor 3: WtE Strategic Impact. These factors are analyzed in conjunction with demographic variables (age and educational attainment) and attitudinal cluster segmentation derived from K-means clustering, which categorizes respondents into all-encompassing supporters, skeptical opponents, and practical implementers. Utilizing 400 household survey responses from Batam City, Indonesia, the data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis, and binomial logistic regression. The findings indicate that implementation support is the strongest predictor of acceptance, followed by strategic impact and operational effectiveness. Additionally, older and more educated respondents exhibit higher levels of acceptance, while cluster membership reveals significant heterogeneity in community attitudes. By integrating behavioral segmentation with empirical modeling, this study contributes novel evidence regarding the social and governance determinants of WtE acceptance within a developing-country context. It addresses a critical gap in the global WtE acceptance literature and offers actionable guidance for the formulation of socially inclusive policies that promote renewable energy transition, green innovation, and sustainable development.