Creating Networks to Promote Waste Management in the Buddhist Waste-free Community

Abstract

This research article has two objectives: (1) to study the features of the network in zero-waste communities, and (2) to create a network for promoting waste management in Buddhist zero-waste communities. This study is a qualitative research and action research, which collects data by in-depth interviewing 27 key informants from nine zero-waste communities and by studying documents related to the network concept, and carries out to create the network for promoting waste management in Buddhist waste-free communities at Ban Pom Sub-district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The results showed that the network of nine zero-waste communities has four characteristics, namely, doing activities about waste management together, supporting waste management, providing advice about waste management, and exchanging ideas about waste management. The researchers applied the knowledge about the features of networks in nine zero-waste communities to create a network for promoting waste management in Buddhist zero-waste communities. The researchers coordinated Wat Phra Ngam, Wat Khanon, and Wat Phra Ngam (Utthakritpracharat) School into the network with Ban Makhamthet and Ban Pom at Ban Pom Sub-district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Therefore, villages, temples, and a school jointly developed communities to be waste-free, for example, Segregation of waste, and waste management according to the 3 Rs principles. As a result, Ban Makhamthet and Ban Pom were evaluated as Buddhist zero-waste communities.