The technology chosen for the Gianyar Waste Project is a decentralized low tech solution with low investment and operating cost. The project goal is to create a model that can be copied all over Indonesia or even South-East Asia to solve waste problems. Especially if replicated on existing landfills, this approach can eliminate the inherent problems and hazards of existing landfills and therefore will be welcomed by the population.

Composting organics in an aerobic process on this scale is a new technology for Indonesia . The policy of the project is to source all equipment locally, which requires the transfer of technology for solutions not yet implemented elsewhere in Indonesia . Locally manufactured equipment reduces the cost and problems associated with importing them. Furthermore locally produced equipment allows easy modifications and repair. The technology transfer was implemented with local machine manufactures and concerned new designs as well as improvement in design and construction materials of existing designs.

1. Shredders for Organic Waste

The scale of the project required shredders with a capacity not yet produced locally. Improvements in materials, noise abatement and safety were introduced. Solutions are still being explored to reduce the energy consumption and thus operating cost.

2. Compost Sieves

A new concept for compost sieving was introduced leading to a new non-conical and self-cleaning design with improved construction material that increases the operational life and the capacity, while reducing maintenance.

3. Air (Oxygen) Delivery System

Reducing back pressure and thus operating costs is essential for a low cost operation. Research revealed that corrugated air delivery pipes with perforations in the grooves (as used for draining wet land), result in the lowest back pressure (about 200 Pa). This novel approach allows the use of axial blowers which, compared with commonly used centrifugal blowers, are much cheaper in investment and operating cost.

4. Pneumatic Conveyors

An old pneumatic conveyor used on a Swiss farm was imported to serve as model for local manufacture. Such pneumatic conveyors make the handling of organic material on a scope of over 6,000 m3 much more efficient. Pneumatic conveyors are cheaper in investment and operating cost than front loaders and result in less densely packed compost tables, thus reducing back pressure.

5. Flow Meters

Adjusting the airflow is essential in forced aeration composting. With help of foreign partners, the project developed flow meters for a wide range of air flow that can be manufactured and calibrated locally at a about 5 % of the cost of imports.

6. Research and Development (R&D)

Cooperation with the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich as well as with large scale Swiss composting facilities significantly improved the quality and result of the R&D carried out since 2004. The cooperation consisted of mutual visits and the fielding of a Swiss student, who did his master thesis in the research facility.

7. Analytical Support

The Swiss Institute of Technology also analyzed raw materials and finished products for hazardous pollutants like dioxins, PCB, PAH and heavy metals to assure a safe product. Levels of dioxin, PCB and PAH found in Gianyar organics were mostly at only 10 % of average Swiss levels. However, heavy metals were above average Swiss levels. All analyses results were below the very stringent Swiss maximum levels.

8. Cross Semination

Project visitors from foreign countries like Environmental Ministers and Ambassadors met with the local Government, which led to cooperation in environmental education and other issues like handicraft and cultural exchange.