Sragen Innovator Turns SPPG Waste into Alternative Energy

RRI.CO.ID, Sragen - Waste from a Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for the Nutritious Meals Program has inspired an Indonesian innovator to develop an alternative energy source. Sugiyono transforms plastic waste into oil and pyrolysis gas for use as alternative cooking fuel.

Sugiyono, a 46-year-old ambulance driver, developed the innovation at SPPG Jambeyan in Sragen, Central Java. His work began after he became concerned about the large amount of plastic waste produced at the facility.

The process uses pyrolysis, heating plastic waste in an airtight environment to produce oil and gas. Sugiyono now captures the resulting gas and uses it as fuel for a modified cooking stove.

“Initially, I was confused about where to put the waste. It could reach 20–30 kilograms daily. When plastic was burned, there was a lot of residue, thick black smoke, and it was disturbing,” Sugiyono said.

Sugiyono learned the process independently through the internet before assembling a simple pyrolysis system. He used discarded materials, including pipes and used Freon cylinders, while spending around Rp3 million on additional equipment.

From approximately one kilogram of plastic waste, his process can produce gas at pressures of up to 300 psi. The gas can fuel a cooking stove for around 55 minutes after minor modifications.

Sugiyono hopes similar systems can be developed by communities, institutions, and neighborhood groups. He believes local waste processing could reduce pressure on landfills while preventing plastic waste from reaching rivers.

“This is actually an affordable alternative solution because it is made from used materials. If every unit or neighborhood association had its own processing equipment, waste could be managed within each community and would not burden landfills such as TPA Tanggan, while also preventing people from dumping waste carelessly into rivers,” Sugiyono said.