Alorization of hospital food waste into bioethanol: A case study of rice waste fermentation in Jakarta

This study investigates the valorization of rice waste generated by Hospital "X" in Jakarta as an alternative substrate for bioethanol production. The methodological approach included waste quantification, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, distillation, and economic feasibility analysis through Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA). Experimental results demonstrate that 7.36 kg of rice waste yields approximately 1 L of bioethanol with 80% purity. Average daily waste generation was 69.34 kg, equivalent to a recovery potential of 9.42 L/day. The financial analysis revealed a daily profit of IDR 65,054 and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 46.41%, underscoring the economic viability of the proposed system. Beyond energy recovery, by-products from fermentation can be repurposed as livestock feed or compost, aligning with integrated biorefinery concepts. This research highlights the dual benefits of waste mitigation and sustainable energy generation. It further contributes to the discourse on circular bioeconomy strategies by demonstrating the feasibility of institutional food waste valorization in low- and middle-income countries. The findings emphasize that rice waste recovery is not only an effective waste management solution but also a strategic pathway for advancing renewable energy transitions and achieving sustainable development goals.