TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A small industry run by PT Greeno Inovasi Energy located in Patalan hamlet, Bangugnjiwo Village, Bantul Regency makes a breakthrough of innovation by using banknotes as alternative fuels. The company processes old and invalid banknotes into pellets that can replace fire wood or charcoals.
“We process the banknotes waste. In a month, we can collect 50 to 70 tons banknotes,” said the company’s manager Arya Purbaya on Thursday.
The resulting alternative fuel, according to Arya, is cheaper than woods or charcoals. If woods or charcoals are sold for Rp3,000 to Rp5000 per kilogram, the bank notes pellets are only sold for Rp450 per kilogram. One kilogram of biomass pellet can fuel combustion up to two hours.
However, the Director of PT Greeno, Ayus Dodi Kirana, admitted that his product is yet to be environmentally friendly. White smoke will be produced after the fire is put off. Ayus recommend users to use the pellet for outdoor.
Several companies have started to order the pellets to fuel up their production, mainly to suppress the fuel cost. Some base material other than banknotes, such as bagasse, have also been used to make the pellets.
PITO AGUSTIN RUDIANA
