Economic and environmental feasibility study of water hyacinth briquette in Cirata Reservoir

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the economic and environmental feasibility of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) briquette. The economic feasibility was determined by the BCR, NPV, Payback Period, and BEP value. While the environmental feasibility was determined by the potential of water hyacinth briquette to control water hyacinth in Cirata Reservoir. Briquette A1P3 (the charcoal combinations of rice husk: water hyacinth 1:1 and the percentage of tapioca binder 5%.) was used in this research. The need of water hyacinth briquettes by a satay (tiny grilled chicken) seller and a grilled fish seller is greater than the need of charcoal and coconut shell charcoal. It shows that water hyacinth briquettes have a lower economic value than charcoal and coconut shell charcoal. A project of water hyacinth briquette processing is economically feasible with the assumption that all products sold because of the BCR value (1.1) > 1, and the NPV value (58,390,711) > 0, with Payback Period in 4.6 years and BEP 95,621.5 kg in 5 years. The use of water hyacinth briquettes by a satay and grilled fish trader at 20,949 kg briquettes/year has the potential to control water hyacinth in Cirata Reservoir of 0.02% per year.