Enviro News Asia, Malang – Students from Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java, have successfully processed used cooking oil into a variety of environmentally friendly products.
In addition to being turned into soap, used oil—which is often discarded as waste—can now also be utilized to make fragrant aromatherapy candles.
This student innovation goes beyond research; it is also being shared with the local community to encourage the transformation of waste into eco-friendly products with economic value.
“This innovation has the potential to be developed into a business activity,” said Rahmah Nur Azizah from Group 22 of the Student Community Empowerment Program (MMD), who created dishwashing soap from used cooking oil.
She demonstrated her innovation to a group of women in Pagentan Subdistrict, Singosari District, Malang Regency, on Thursday (July 17, 2025).
Another student, Salma Azizah, showcased her own innovation—transforming used cooking oil into aromatic candles.
She mixed the used oil with palm wax and essential oils. The three ingredients were then heated, combined with natural fragrances and colorants, and molded into desired shapes.
The entire activity was carried out under the guidance of supervising lecturer Ni’matul Izza, Ph.D. “With a practical and communicative approach, both programs opened the community’s eyes to the fact that household waste is not just trash, but also a business opportunity that supports environmental sustainability,” said Ni’matul Izza. (*)
