Buddhist innovation development of natural energy and eco-friendly incinerators for urban communities

This research paper aims to: 1) investigate the current challenges in waste management, 2) develop prototype eco-friendly incinerators powered by biomass energy, and 3) evaluate the efficiency of these incinerators. The research employs qualitative methods, including documentary research, action research, and Research and Development (R&D), to investigate waste management issues. Data are gathered from interviews with 15 individuals, participatory forums involving 9 participants, and the use of weighing scales before conducting incineration experiments. The research findings indicate: 1) the escalating accumulation of waste daily reveals that the majority of waste management processes are not conducted correctly, leading to foul odors and adverse health effects on the public, posing significant environmental concerns. Proper waste segregation and recycling, integrated with Buddhist activities, can reduce energy waste and environmental impact; 2) the development principles for eco-friendly incinerator prototypes, emphasizing sturdy construction with 4.5 mm thick special steel, focusing on durability, ease of installation, and usage convenience, and utilization of dry waste (biomass) as initial fuel to reduce reliance on oil and gas; and 3) the efficiency evaluation of biomass-powered incinerators through incineration experiments, comparing segregated and unsegregated waste scenarios, revealing that segregated waste reduced incineration time significantly. Further experimentation involved three waste volumes—50 kg, 100 kg, and 1 ton—under both segregated and unsegregated conditions. Results showed that 50 kg of unsegregated waste required 1 hour for incineration, while segregated waste took 45 minutes. For 100 kg, the incineration time dropped from 2 hours 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Similarly, burning 1 ton of unsegregated waste required 5 hours, whereas segregated waste required only 3 hours 40 minutes. These findings underscore the significant time efficiency and energy savings achieved through proper waste sorting. The integration of Buddhist community practices with environmentally friendly innovations demonstrates a culturally sensitive and sustainable approach to addressing waste problems. This research highlights the importance of grassroots innovation, community engagement, and ecological awareness in developing effective waste management solutions.