Five students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have successfully developed Gelora, a portable and environmentally friendly household waste incinerator. The device features a closed combustion system and an active carbon filtration mechanism, providing an innovative solution to domestic waste management, which remains a major challenge in many regions.
The product was developed by the Student Creativity Program for Innovative Work (PKM-KI) team, consisting of Amir Fren Afrizal, Fa’iq Al-Baihaqi, Mohammad Lathif Adani, Muhammad Zulfa Azizi, and Rahma’ Alya Nabila Damayanti. All five students are from the Electro Engineering Technology Program, UGM Vocational College (SV UGM), under the supervision of Ma’un Budiyanto.
Budiyanto explained that Gelora is expected to serve as an appropriate technology supporting community-based independent waste management.
“We hope Gelora can become a tangible step in implementing circular economy principles and community-driven waste management,” he said on Monday (Oct. 13).
Team leader Amir Fren Afrizal stated that the idea for Gelora emerged from their concern about the increasing volume of household waste in Indonesia, which exceeds 34 million tons annually. Much of this waste remains poorly managed, particularly in densely populated residential areas.
“Limited small-scale waste processing technologies make it difficult for communities to actively participate in waste reduction. Gelora is designed as a simple and efficient solution that can be used directly at home,” said Afrizal.
The innovation prioritizes both safety and convenience for users. The Gelora device is portable, equipped with wheels and a handle for easy mobility. It also features three layers of thermal insulation for safe operation.
“We use refractory stone and heat-resistant steel to ensure users remain protected throughout the combustion process,” explained Muhammad Zulfa Azizi, who designed the mechanical structure.
From the electronics perspective, Fa’iq Al-Baihaqi and Mohammad Lathif Adani developed a control system based on the ESP32 microcontroller, which displays real-time data on combustion temperature and carbon monoxide emissions via an LCD screen.
“Through this monitoring feature, users can ensure the combustion process runs safely and efficiently,” said Al-Baihaqi.
Meanwhile, Rahma’ Alya Nabila Damayanti designed the filtration system, focusing on reducing gas emissions from combustion. The active carbon filter is designed with a plug-and-play mechanism for easy replacement, allowing users to maintain the device conveniently.
“With this system, gas emissions can be significantly reduced without compromising combustion efficiency,” explained Damayanti.
Beyond technical testing, the team has also shared their innovation across various social media platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. The Gelora team is currently processing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) registration to protect the industrial design.
“This effort reflects our commitment to developing sustainable innovations that have a real impact on society,” said Afrizal.
The success of this UGM student team is expected to inspire other young innovators to continue generating creative ideas that address environmental challenges. The Gelora innovation stands as proof that students play a vital role in developing household-scale technologies that support sustainable living.
Author: PKM-KI Gelora Team
Editor: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya