Used cooking oil is cooking oil that has been repeatedly used for frying and has undergone deterioration due to the oxidation process. The use of used cooking oil can cause toxicity in the body, potentially leading to various health problems. On the other hand, improper disposal of used cooking oil can result in environmental pollution, particularly affecting soil and water quality. Therefore, appropriate management is necessary to prevent used cooking oil from causing adverse impacts on both human health and the environment.
Through a Community Service Program (PKM), a team of lecturers from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Earth Sciences, Manado State University, led by Jenny Kumajas, conducted an activity entitled “Utilizing Used Cooking Oil as Raw Material for Aromatherapy Candle Production.”
The activity was held at MAN Model 1 Manado. The program aimed to educate high school students about the dangers of using used cooking oil for health and environmental sustainability. It was hoped that the students would share this knowledge with their mothers, who are directly involved in the use of cooking oil in daily household activities. In addition, the program introduced a practical solution by demonstrating how used cooking oil can be transformed into aromatherapy candles. Besides providing economic value, converting used cooking oil into aromatherapy candles can also help reduce environmental pollution.
The activities carried out included coordination with teachers of MAN Model 1 Manado as program partners, preparation of educational materials, division of responsibilities among team members, delivery of lectures on the harmful effects of used cooking oil on health and the environment, and a demonstration of aromatherapy candle production.
This community service initiative serves as tangible evidence that environmental issues can be addressed through creative and educational approaches. Transforming used cooking oil into aromatherapy candles is not only a small step toward protecting public health and the environment, but also a significant opportunity to improve community welfare.
Following the successful implementation of the program at MAN Model 1 Manado, the team plans to conduct similar activities in other senior high schools. It is hoped that high school students will actively participate in minimizing the negative impacts of used cooking oil on health and the environment and that more members of the community will become aware of the dangers associated with its improper use and disposal.
