Development of an Eco-Friendly Egg Tray Molding Machine for Paper Waste Reduction at Politeknik Negeri Semarang

The increasing consumption of paper at Politeknik Negeri Semarang has led to a significant rise in paper waste that has not been managed optimally. This condition presents a significant issue, characterized by waste accumulation and the underutilization of recyclable paper as a value-added product. Although various paper-recycling technologies have been developed, most existing systems operate on an industrial scale, making them unsuitable for vocational education settings that require compact, energy-efficient, and user-friendly equipment. This gap highlights the need for a practical, small-scale recycling technology that can be effectively implemented within the campus environment. This research aimed to design and construct a Paper Egg Tray Machine as a small-scale waste-paper processing solution capable of converting paper waste into environmentally friendly packaging products. The research method includes needs assessment, mechanical and electrical design, fabrication, and performance testing. The machine was designed with dimensions of 1400 × 990 × 1400 mm, utilizing a 12 V battery system and a 220 V, 150 W dynamo motor with a power-transfer mechanism based on an electric winch. The pulp-processing system uses a 200 mm centrifugal blade agitator. The results showed that the machine successfully processes waste paper into homogeneous pulp and forms it into recycled egg trays with consistent shape and structural stability. The produced trays meet basic functional requirements as protective packaging and demonstrate potential for small-scale production. In conclusion, the Paper Egg Tray Machine contributes to the development of simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly waste-processing technology suitable for vocational education while offering broader opportunities for implementation in small recycling-based enterprises.