I created Blue Barrel Innovation as a direct response to the serious environmental challenges posed by the Cipeucang Landfill, the only final waste disposal site serving South Tangerang. Every day, the landfill receives hundreds of tons of mixed waste, much of it organic household waste that is not properly separated or treated. As this waste accumulates and decomposes in open conditions, it releases large volumes of methane gas, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane buildup not only accelerates climate change but also creates real safety risks, including fires, explosions, and persistent air pollution that affects nearby schools and residential areas.
Living close to this reality, I witnessed firsthand how unmanaged waste impacts daily life: unpleasant odors, health concerns, and the looming risk of landfill overload. The situation is made more urgent by the fact that Cipeucang has exceeded its ideal capacity, leaving limited options for expansion or relocation. These conditions highlight a critical gap in waste management—organic waste is treated as a burden rather than a resource.
Blue Barrel Innovation was created to address this gap. By developing a simple, low-cost biogas digester using a modified blue barrel, I aimed to capture methane safely and convert organic waste into usable bioenergy. This innovation reflects my belief that science-driven, community-scale solutions can play a meaningful role in solving urgent environmental problems.
In practice, Blue Barrel Innovation takes the form of a simple, functional biogas system built from a modified blue plastic barrel that serves as an anaerobic digester. Organic waste—such as food scraps and biodegradable landfill waste—is placed inside the sealed barrel and mixed with a bioactivator to accelerate decomposition. Once closed, the system creates an oxygen-free environment where microorganisms break down the waste and naturally produce biogas, mainly methane. This gas is then safely channeled through a pipe equipped with a valve, allowing it to be collected and tested or directly used.
The design prioritizes accessibility and safety. The barrel is fitted with internal filtration (a mesh layer) to separate solid waste from liquid residue, ensuring smoother gas production and easier maintenance. A simple outlet allows excess liquid (slurry) to be drained; this byproduct can later be reused as organic fertilizer. The entire system is compact, low-cost, and made from easily available materials, making it suitable for households, schools, or community spaces.
When tested using waste from the Cipeucang Landfill, the innovation successfully produced combustible biogas that could be ignited for cooking or lighting. This demonstrates how waste that would otherwise emit harmful gases into the air can be transformed into a controlled and useful energy source. In real-world application, Blue Barrel Innovation works as a community-scale solution—reducing landfill pressure,
Blue Barrel Innovation has been spreading at the national and international levels. After being developed and tested using real organic waste conditions, the innovation was presented in competitive and evaluative forums.
Internationally, Blue Barrel Innovation gained significant visibility when it was showcased at the International Exhibition for Young Inventors (IEYI) in the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2024, where it received a Distinction Award. This recognition validated the innovation’s scientific credibility and real-world applicability, particularly its ability to transform landfill waste into usable bioenergy using a low-cost and scalable system. The award also opened opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, allowing the idea to be discussed with young innovators and judges from different countries.
At the national level, Blue Barrel Innovation was addressed and recognized within OPSI Indonesia (Olympiad of Research and Student Innovation) during the 2023–2024 cycle. Through OPSI, the project reached educators, researchers, and policymakers, positioning it as a relevant response to Indonesia’s waste management and renewable energy challenges. This platform helped frame the innovation not only as a scientific experiment.
These pathways have allowed Blue Barrel Innovation to spread as an idea, a model, and a conversation starter, inspiring discussions on how simple, science-based technologies can address urgent environmental problems at the local level.
Make a small, safe pilot version
To support and scale this approach and innovation, local governments should establish mandatory waste separation at the household level, ensuring organic waste is collected separately from non-organic waste. Municipalities can promote community-scale biogas units in neighborhoods, schools, and markets, especially near landfills. Clear safety and technical guidelines for small biogas systems should be issued, along with basic training for operators. Local governments can also provide incentives or pilot grants for youth-led environmental innovations and integrate waste-to-energy solutions into regional waste management plans. These policies would reduce landfill pressure, lower methane emissions, and turn organic waste into a local source of clean energy
