Daman Setiawan's hands were so dexterous in picking up piles of plastic waste in the plastic recycling machine assembly workshop in the Citereup area of Bogor Regency. Then put the plastic waste into the chopping machine. The roar of the chopping machine sounded loudly, processing the piles of plastic into small sizes.
After that, the plastic waste that is chopped into small sizes, is put into the melting machine. With high temperatures, the machine turns plastic flakes into clay-like dough. Daman then put the dough into the press. Shortly thereafter, an eco paving was formed and ready for use.
Daman is the founder of the Garbage Oath. It is a company that focuses on recycling plastic waste. In addition to Daman, the Trash Oath was presided over by two other colleagues. Namely Aziz and Angga. It was formed at the end of 2018.
"At that time we talked about the issue of waste. We know that waste management in Indonesia has been so abortive. The existing garbage is mixed, dirty and mountainous in the landfill," Daman said some time ago.
The types of garbage that are the focus of attention of the Garbage Oath are crackles and multi-layers. So far, this type of waste is difficult to recycle. From an economic point of view, many garbage collectors are reluctant to collect it. Because the price is also fairly cheap.
"So far, many types of waste have been burned, scattered or emptied into the ocean. So that creates a lot of problems," he said.
If burned, it will produce dioxin gas which is harmful to human health. This type of waste is just scattered, making the cleanliness of the surrounding environment disturbed. Not infrequently even to the point of clogging waterways to cause flooding. Even those that wander into the ocean, turn into microplastics, many of which are consumed by animals and are also harmful to health. On the other hand, plastic waste is very difficult to decompose in nature. It takes tens or even hundreds of years for it to decompose.From the chat with his two colleagues, he finally agreed to make a movement to untangle tangled threads in the processing of plastic waste. They agreed to create a very useful technology for recycling plastic waste.
The name of Sumpah Sampah was chosen because according to Daman, it is more grounded. In addition, the Youth Pledge event that occurred in the period ahead of Indonesian independence, became an inspiration for him. The historical event was able to unite youth throughout the motherland to fight against colonialism.
"Right now, there are problems together that we have to face together. That is about plastic waste. The hope is that by using the name Waste Oath, we can all swear to jointly recycle plastic waste. Turning plastic waste that was once a problem into something useful," he said.
Their educational background is very helpful in developing the technology created by the Waste Oath. Daman's educational background is a chemical analyst. So it is useful when conducting research related to plastic polymers. His other colleague, Aziz, has management abilities. Meanwhile, Angga focuses on manufacturing matters. The three of them filled each other in developing the Sumpah Sampah.
"After discussion, we agreed to make a product that matches Indonesia's waste. Safe for the environment and humans, beneficial too. Until then, eco paving made from plastic was chosen," he explained.
Previously, they used simple technology with reference provisions from video views on YouTube. The collected plastic waste is then burned, melted and molded into eco paving.
"We also know the process is not quite right. But to start one move is good, what's wrong with us starting?"
To be able to operate the machine, continued Daman, requires a large amount of electrical power. That is between 8 to 10 thousand watts. Daman claimed that the plastic waste processing machine he made adapts the latest technology from making it safe for operators and the environment. The key parameter to ensure the safety of such machines is the matter of temperature. His machine is able to adjust the temperature in melting plastic waste so that it will not produce smoke containing dioxins.
"In terms of products, it is also ensured that it is safe. For eco paving products made from plastic waste, for example. We have tested the lab at intertech and it is declared safe for the environment," he said.
Daman said Citereup was chosen as the location of the plastic waste recycling machine manufacturing workshop because there are many metal craftsmen in the region. In carrying out his activities, he empowers many local residents. Today there are about 20 citizens employed by it.
"There's a lot of change going on here. From the economic side, the income of local residents has increased. Likewise from the environmental side. Now many residents come here to deposit or sell their plastic waste. They have begun to get used to sorting out their garbage. So now residents don't throw plastic waste into any place. There has begun to be an awareness that plastic waste also has economic value," he said.
The machine he created, continued Daman, was in accordance with the characteristics of waste in Indonesia which was mixed a lot. According to him, all types of plastic, except pipe plastic, can be processed by the machine without having to be sorted first. Most importantly, the collected plastic waste must be ensured that it is dry before being processed through the machine.
"Generally, if you use other machines, the plastic must be used as pellets first. But our machines don't. Existing plastic waste can be processed immediately, trimming the process chain. At the same time, it can also save the budget. It's more efficient, too," he said.
A set of machines is capable of recycling 300 Kg of plastic waste per eight hours. If used as eco paving, it can produce about 150 square-shaped pieces measuring 20x20 cm.
"I think in terms of productivity, it is still not high. Optional to increase productivity is to add machines. We are still doing development research. So that the productivity of our machines can be higher," he said.
Not only used as eco paving. His machine is also able to process plastic waste into various kinds of furniture products. Such as chairs, tables, cabinets and even glasses.
Even so, Daman said, in his journey, his party also experienced many obstacles. With the characteristics of waste in Indonesia that is mixed, smelly and dirty, it must be thoroughly thought out before creating the machine. There are many types of plastics whose melting point of each type is also different. Meanwhile, to sort it out, it takes time and human resources.
After going through a series of research and experiments, his party managed to find the right temperature point to be able to process all types of plastic. In his opinion, a temperature of 230 degrees celsius is the right point. So that the plastic that has been mixed can be processed with the machine made by it. The final product is also not decomposed.
Currently, the Waste Oath has begun to establish a lot of cooperation with various parties. One of them is the Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) program. A global movement initiated by WWF to reduce the backlog of plastic waste in nature. His machines have been spread in more than 50 cities throughout Indonesia. The enthusiasts are from government and private agencies.
"We will continue to do research to develop the machinery we have."
According to him, the problem of plastic waste needs serious handling along with the use of qualified technology. That way, recycling plastic waste can generate promising financial coffers.
"It is our hope that the Government and the public believe in the resource capabilities of young people who have creativity. Entrust domestic technology to solve the waste problem. We young Indonesians will continue to strive to create technology to solve the waste problem," he concluded.***
