“BAHALAP”: TRANSFORMING RATTAN AND PALM OIL WASTE INTO GREEN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

The "BAHALAP" innovation addresses the environmental challenges caused by the accumulation of rattan lignocellulosic waste and massive palm oil biomass (EFB, POME) in Central Kalimantan, with the goal of optimizing this waste for efficient and eco-friendly energy production. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, the research involved field observations and interviews with farmers in Palangka Raya and Katingan, while also implementing a local biobriquette innovation from the waste. The results demonstrate that rattan waste, rich in carbon biopolymers, and palm oil waste, rich in triglycerides, possess significant energy potential that can be converted into syngas, bio-oil, and biochar through thermochemical processes like pyrolysis and gasification. Economically, "BAHALAP" creates added value from waste, provides new sources of income for farmers, generates job opportunities, and promotes a circular economy, marking a vital step toward a greener and more sustainable future. Nevertheless, current implementation is constrained by the lack of access to adequate laboratory facilities for comprehensive testing of oil and biogas production, necessitating strategic partnerships for future scientific validation.