The long-standing problem of open waste burning in Kecemen Village, Manisrenggo District, Klaten Regency, has found a practical solution through an innovation developed by students of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY). As part of the 2026 Off-Campus Learning Program (PLK UNY Mengabdi), a team of students designed and donated a Low-Smoke Waste Incinerator, an appropriate technology that enables the community to manage household waste in a safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly manner.

The innovation was officially handed over to the local community as one of the flagship programs of PLK UNY Mengabdi 2026. The incinerator was developed in response to the common practice of open waste burning, which has long contributed to air pollution and posed health risks, particularly for children and older adults.

Muhamad Fadhil Nugroho, leader of the PLK team in Kecemen Village, explained that the incinerator operates using a combustion system fueled by used cooking oil. The heat generated produces steam that flows through pipes, intensifying the fire inside the combustion chamber without requiring an electric blower. The higher combustion temperature allows waste to burn more completely, significantly reducing the amount of smoke produced compared to conventional open burning.

The system also includes a second drum that functions as a smoke filtration chamber. Inside this chamber, water condensation captures combustion particles, resulting in cleaner emissions. All components are made from affordable and widely available materials, enabling communities to replicate the technology independently whenever needed.

Development of the incinerator began in early April 2026. After completing the design and construction process, the PLK team organized a public demonstration and educational session on May 14, 2026. During the event, students explained the operating principles of the incinerator, its environmental and health benefits, and safe operating procedures. Community members showed strong enthusiasm by asking questions about the construction process, burning capacity, and durability of the equipment.

A follow-up training session was held on May 30, 2026, during which residents were given the opportunity to operate the incinerator themselves under the guidance of the student team. This hands-on approach ensured that community members understood both the operation and maintenance of the equipment, allowing it to continue being used sustainably after the PLK program concluded.

At the conclusion of the project, the PLK team officially handed over the Low-Smoke Waste Incinerator to the Kecemen Village Government as a shared community facility. Village officials welcomed the innovation and expressed hope that it would strengthen waste management efforts in Neighborhood Associations (RW) 07 and RW 09, while increasing public awareness of environmental protection.

“We realize that the waste problem cannot be solved instantly. However, we hope this simple innovation will become the first step toward changing community behavior in managing waste in a healthier and more environmentally friendly way. If used consistently, its benefits will be directly felt by the community,” said Muhamad Fadhil Nugroho.

The Low-Smoke Waste Incinerator program forms part of the Infrastructure and Environment pillar of PLK UNY Mengabdi 2026 in Kecemen Village. It supports the broader theme, “Empowering the Local Potential of Kecemen Village to Build an Independent and Sustainable Community through the Synergy of Appropriate Technology Innovation, Literacy Enhancement, Creative Economy, and Environmental Health.”

Through this innovation, UNY students have not only provided a practical solution to a local environmental challenge but have also encouraged the development of a more responsible waste management culture. The technology is expected to inspire other villages to adopt similar low-cost innovations in creating cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities.