PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH MINYAK JELANTAH MENJADI LILIN AROMATERAPI SEBAGAI UPAYA PEMBERDAYAAN IBU RUMAH TANGGA DAN PENGENALAN WIRAUSAHA BARU DI KELURAHAN CIGOONG

Abstract

Used cooking oil is a type of household waste often discarded without treatment, posing potential environmental risks. However, it can be repurposed into products with both utility and economic value—such as aromatherapy candles. This community service initiative aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of housewives regarding the utilization of used cooking oil while highlighting its potential as a new entrepreneurial opportunity. The activity was conducted under the 2026 Bina Bangsa University Student-Lecturer Collaboration Program (KKM-PKM), involving KKM Group 09 students and their supervising lecturers. It took place in RT 04, Cigoong Urban Village, Walantaka District, Serang City, with the participation of eight housewives. A participatory approach was employed, featuring awareness-raising sessions, demonstrations, and hands-on practice ("learning by doing") in making aromatherapy candles from used cooking oil. Materials used included used cooking oil, dyes, fragrances, wicks, and small gypsum containers. The results demonstrated that participants successfully followed the production steps and created aromatherapy candles featuring various colors and scents. This activity provided practical experience in transforming household waste into useful products and introduced the potential for product development as a new business venture. In addition to production, students assisted in setting up a Lynk.id-based website to serve as a digital storefront and sales platform for showcasing and marketing the finished candles. This initiative is expected to encourage the community to manage household waste more wisely and to develop productive skills that could generate additional economic value for their families.