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| The local people of Tulusrejo make aromatherapy candles (Photo: Special). |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang's lecture team conducted the exciting community service initiative. Fithri Mufriantie, M.P. led this team; the team taught how to make aromatherapy candles from the waste cooking oil to the PKK's group in Kendalsari, Tulusrejo, Lowokwaru, Malang City. The agenda was conducted in the last year of 2023 until this February.
Fenty, affectionately known, explained that this workshop aims to educate mothers about the positive potential of waste cooking oil. The used cooking oil, which is considered waste, can be recycled into the economic value of aromatherapy candles.
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According to her, the villagers had already gathered and sold waste cooking oil. However, they do not know how to process the waste into valuable products. This training not only provides technical knowledge, but also supports the concepts of zero waste and creative economy. "We want to provide education that used cooking oil can be the basic material for aromatherapy candles that have economic value," added Fenty.
The training consists of three main stages. First, educate mothers about the positive benefits of waste cooking oil and its potential as the basic material for aromatherapy candles. Second, the candle-making process involves clarifying the used cooking oil, heating, adding wax base material, crayon coloring, and essential oil to give a soothing aroma.
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"For purification, we use charcoal or banana peels soaked in waste cooking oil overnight. To eliminate unpleasant odors, lemongrass can be used. From here, high-quality aromatherapy candles are created. We also recommend that the waste cooking oil used has been used two to three times in the cooking process, making clarification easier," said Fenty.
At the end of the training, PKK mothers successfully made aromatherapy candles ready for marketing. Next, Fenty and the team plan to involve PKK mothers in an advanced program in digital marketing. This way, the product can be known by the wider community. According to Fenty, this innovation in service not only opens up new economic opportunities for PKK mothers in Kendalsari but also provides a positive solution to environmental problems. Specifically, by turning used cooking oil waste into valuable and useful material.(rev/wil/fajr)
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