IPB University KKN-T Students Invited Teenagers to Earn Money Through Used Cooking Oil
Used cooking oil, which is usually thrown away after use, can now be reused. IPB University Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture (KKN-T) students held implementation activities for utilizing used cooking oil for teenagers in Babakan Village, Bogor Regency, West Java. One of the utilization is by processing used cooking oil into aromatic candles.
“This activity is one of our group’s programs. This activity started with one of the problems of the people of Babakan Village who often throw away used cooking oil waste, plus there are many stalls selling fried foods and the oil after being used is just thrown away,” said Ramzy as the coordinator of KKN-T students in Babakan Village.
Ramzy explained the process to make an aromatic candle is simple. The process is to make an aromatic candle from used cooking oil is not too difficult. The materials used are easy to find, they are used cooking oil, stearin, crayons as candle dyes, charcoal, candle wicks, and candle molds. For fragrance, you can use eucalyptus or lavender oil.
“The benefits of this aromatic candle aside from being a lighting tool, it can also help calm the mind to be more relaxed and deodorize the room because these candles have a fragrant and distinctive aroma,” he explained.
He further explained that the process of making aromatic candles begins with soaking used cooking oil with charcoal to reduce the smell. Then the filtered used cooking oil is poured into the pan. The pot that already contains used cooking oil is then heated on the stove over low heat until steam appears.
“After it’s hot, add the crayons to give color to the used cooking oil and add fragrance to make it aromatic. After all the ingredients are added, stir until everything is mixed. After that, put it in the candle mold while dripping with fragrance again. Leave for about an hour to freeze. Aromatic candles are ready to use,” he added.
According to Ramzy, “With this activity, it is hoped that the youth of Babakan Village can develop the potential of aromatic candles into a business field.” In addition, this activity can reduce used cooking oil waste which is usually thrown away and results in environmental pollution.
“This IPB University Innovation KKN-T students provides solutions for the people here, especially in household waste processing. It is also good to open up business opportunities and empower the community,” said Tadin, Head of RW 03 Babakan Village. (*/Rz) (IAAS/BLA)
