Social Sustainability in Waste Management Planner Perspectives on Public Participation in Implementation of Property-Close Waste Collection

Abstract

This study examines how public participation is perceived, valued, and operationalized by municipal officials in the implementation of property-close collection (PCC) systems for packaging waste in Swedish municipalities. Drawing on qualitative interviews with officials from municipalities in the Gothenburg Region, the study investigates participatory practices using theoretical frameworks including Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation, Fung’s Democracy Cube, and the SALAR Staircase of Participation as analytical tools. The findings reveal that public participation is primarily valued as an instrumental tool, emphasizing its role in facilitating implementation, increasing acceptance, and adapting systems to local contexts. Participatory practices were largely consultative and centered on one-way or limited two-way communication, with minimal opportunities for deliberation or citizen influence over strategic decisions. Moreover, variations between municipalities suggest that internal interpretations of what constitutes a suitable or feasible decision for public involvement significantly shape the scope of participation. Although some municipalities expressed ambitions aligned with co-creation and inclusive governance, participation seldom translated into shared decision-making authority. Instead, participation was largely used to manage dissent and legitimize predetermined outcomes. Nevertheless, this study highlights that participation may still hold intrinsic democratic value, such as fostering social cohesion, public learning, and trust, given that its purpose and influence are clearly communicated. The study concludes that for participation to contribute meaningfully to democratic governance, successful implementation and social sustainability, clearer institutional frameworks, political commitment, and a willingness to share power are essential.