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Successful solid-waste management relies heavily on citizen involvement and cooperation, particularly through effective source separation. By ensuring that waste is sorted correctly at source, costs are reduced, the quality of recycled products is improved, and waste handling becomes more efficient—resulting in significant cost savings for municipal authorities (MAs) and mitigating causes of air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination. This study explores enhancing waste separation in local authorities populated by traditional minority groups through stakeholder cooperation. The aim is to improve economic, social, and environmental utilities while identifying the mechanism that best maximizes the well-being of all players involved. Employing mixed methods and game-theory tools, we conduct twenty-one in-depth interviews with local minority leaders to define the parameters of the service function. The utility functions of all players serve as a basis for game-theory modeling that allow us to identify Nash equilibria, compare their efficiency, and formulate the mechanism optimally. The results of the study show that when an influential local player fosters cooperation and trust among residents, effective waste separation is achieved, enhancing the well-being of all involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the needed transition to a low-carbon economy, the cutback in dependency on fossil fuels will depend, among other things, on how much renewable electricity can be produced by photovoltaic (PV) systems, which require huge surfaces. This emphasizes the importance of using building rooftops. The current study examines the viability of installing PV systems on rooftops of affordable-housing buildings in Israel. To plan and optimize PV system installation projects, we analyze the determinants of process efficiency, detect planning difficulties, and consider the actions needed to enhance the welfare of various types of stakeholders ("players"). Using game-theory tools, these players are identified on the basis of fifteen semi-structured interviews that allow us to analyze their key and supporting roles and to define the parameters of their utility functions. The "game" is analyzed as both simultaneous and serial, and its outcomes show that the potentially crucial key player is the Ministry of Construction and Housing (MOCH), which may choose between leasing the rooftops or purchasing the systems. Due to the positive externalities of installing PV systems, the project serves as a social, energy, and economic engine for low-socioeconomic-status tenants. Analysis of the model in the case study shows that, on average, every transfer of 10% of PV system income to tenants will reduce household energy expenditure by 4.6% of gross household income, thus alleviating energy poverty while strengthening trust and cooperation among all players. • Research based on game theory is used to solve environmental dilemmas. • A mechanism that optimizes PV planning on affordable-housing roofs is proposed. • PV-system installation projects in affordable housing may alleviate energy poverty. • Installing PV systems in affordable housing enhances all players' welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]