Getting to Know the Machine That Turns Plastic Waste into Fuel

The Get Plastic Indonesia Foundation introduced a pyrolysis machine to the public through an event titled ‘Sunrise Berkebun Sunset Melantun’ at the Museum Pustaka Lontar, Dukuh Penaban Traditional Village, Karangasem, Bali. The machine can process plastic waste into fuel oil (BBM). Besides introducing the plastic waste processing machine, the camping-themed event also included workshops, gardening, lontar palm leaf inscription, and musical entertainment. Sunrise Berkebun Sunset Melantun lasted for three days until 21 June 2026. “We focus on research and innovation of pyrolysis machines that can turn plastic waste into fuel. We want to prove today that the fuel we produce can be used,” said activity coordinator Raissa Kanaya on Saturday (20/6/2026). Raissa explained that the plastic to be processed into fuel must be in a dry condition. According to her, the pyrolysis machine can process about 10 kilogrammes of plastic waste in a single operation. It takes around two hours to produce approximately 10 litres of fuel. “Besides producing fuel, the machine also generates gas that we can directly use to boil water, and its carbon black can be used for crafts such as paving blocks,” Raissa stated. The fuel produced from the plastic waste processing was used to power a generator during the entertainment event. Raissa explained that the fuel produced by the pyrolysis machine is not traded commercially because Pertamina requested that its price be set higher than the market price. As a result, the plastic waste-based fuel is only used for community members and a number of farmers. Raissa hopes that certain parties, such as villages or community groups, will be willing to cooperate in waste processing. “Our system is not buying and selling machines, but cooperating with other parties,” said Raissa.