Waste-to-Energy Potential of Domestic Waste through Biodrying-Based Refuse-Derived Fuel Production

Abstract

Indonesia's growing urban waste volumes and overburdened landfill infrastructure demand integrated treatment strategies beyond conventional collection and disposal. This study aimed to assess the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) potential of domestic waste in Jepara Regency, Indonesia, through a biodrying-based Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) production scenario. Waste generation and composition data were collected through field sampling in four districts: Jepara, Tahunan, Kedung, and Mlonggo, following SNI 3964:2025, and supplemented by population and economic projections using arithmetic, geometric, and least-square methods for the planning period 2025–2043. The results showed an average per capita waste generation rate of 0.48 kg/person/day, with food waste dominating the composition at 50.81% and plastic at 23.10%. Material balance analysis projected a total waste input of 151.49 tonnes/day by 2043, from which the biodrying-based facility is expected to recover 62.80 tonnes/day of RDF (96% processing efficiency) while generating only 2.62 tonnes/day of inert residue, with target moisture content reduced to 25% through a 21 day biodrying cycle, the projected RDF calorific value is expected to exceed 4,500 kcal/kg, approaching sub-bituminous coal equivalency. These findings demonstrate that biodrying-based RDF production offers a technically viable and scalable pathway for sustainable WtE development in Indonesian regency level contexts.