Solid Waste Management in Small Tourism Islands: An Evolutionary Governance Approach

Abstract

In many regions and nations, solid waste management is deemed as critical, complicated, and multifaceted. The essence of solid waste management in each society can be influenced by a variety of economic activities and physical geographies. Small islands with their geographic isolation and a tourism-driven economy pose a great challenge in ensuring sustainability in respect to solid waste management. Beyond the issues of solid waste management on small islands, the governance of solid waste management particularly requires distinctive attention. This aspect is often disregarded as it is a tricky issue for many governments, especially on the territories of small islands. Through the lens of Evolutionary Governance Theory, this paper examines the rigidity in the governance of solid waste management, particularly on small islands, in how related issues are addressed. A range of aspects of governance of solid waste management are analyzed and gaps are identified to propose a way forward in approaching governance problems on small islands through the conceptualization of evolutionary governance.