THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN STRENGTHENING URBAN WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Povzetek

Urban waste management has emerged as a critical challenge in achieving sustainable city development, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study investigates the role of government policies in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of urban waste management systems, emphasizing the mediating effect of technology adoption and the moderating influence of governance capacity and stakeholder collaboration. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative analysis through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and ANOVA with qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews. Data were collected from 300 respondents across selected urban centers representing varying levels of policy implementation. Results indicate that a strong government policy framework significantly improves waste management efficiency (β = 0.31, p < 0.05) and promotes technology adoption (β = 0.54, p < 0.001), which in turn mediates the policy–performance relationship (β = 0.22, p < 0.05). The analysis further reveals significant differences in technological adoption among low, moderate, and high policy-performing cities (F = 25.43, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings support these results, highlighting that stakeholder collaboration, institutional coordination, and fiscal incentives are critical enablers of policy success. Overall, the study concludes that effective urban waste management depends on the synergy between robust policy frameworks, technological innovation, and inclusive governance mechanisms. The findings provide practical implications for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental managers seeking to design integrated strategies that advance sustainable waste management and contribute to broader urban resilience goals