Ergonomic Integration in Community-Based Waste Management Systems: A Case Study of a Joyful Integrated Farming System

Background, Manual waste management remains prevalent in community-based systems, particularly in developing countries, where limited mechanization and informal work practices elevate ergonomic risks. Despite the growing adoption of circular economy principles, ergonomic integration within waste management, especially in integrated farming systems, remains underexplored. Aim: This study investigates the application of ergonomic principles in the Joyful Integrated Farming System (J-IFS), a community- based model integrating waste sorting, composting, and agricultural production. Methods: A before-and-after ergonomic intervention design was implemented, combining anthropometric analysis, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Nordic Body Map (NBM), time-motion study, and productivity measurement. Ergonomic interventions included workstation redesign based on worker anthropometry, improved manual handling tools, task rotation, and optimized work-rest cycles Results: The results show a 38% reduction in ergonomic risk levels, a 42% decrease in musculoskeletal discomfort, and a 27% improvement in operational productivity. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that ergonomic integration not only reduces occupational health risks but also enhances work efficiency and system reliability. Implication. This study contributes empirical evidence supporting ergonomics as a strategic enabler of sustainable, labor-intensive waste management systems and extends applied ergonomics into the domain of circular, community-based operations.