MILEA is one of the main work programs in the Thematic Community Service (KKN) 2024 in Tunjungsekar Village RW 01, Malang City. This activity involves processing scented candles made from waste cooking oil. The purpose of this program is to reduce the amount of waste cooking oil and to increase its value by turning it into a product that can be used as a small business (UMKM) in Tunjungsekar Village RW 01. This work program was held on March 4, 2024, at one of the houses of the PKK mothers in RW 01. The event began with an opening by Sharla Amalia Chirunnisa, followed by an introduction to the MILEA work program for the PKK mothers of RW 01. Then, there was a hands-on practice session for making candles from waste cooking oil, guided by Della Galih Puspitasari and Febyka Rahma Nurlaily. After the candle-making practice, the event continued with a group photo session with the PKK mothers of RW 01 and concluded with a prayer and closing remarks.
The MILEA work program provided the PKK mothers of RW 01 with up-to-date information that waste cooking oil can be processed into useful products, such as scented candles. Typically, waste cooking oil generated by households is disposed of carelessly in the surrounding environment. This can lead to several negative impacts on the environment, such as clogging water channels and contaminating water quality and soil due to the improper disposal of waste cooking oil. Through this activity, the PKK mothers received information about the environmental impact of waste cooking oil disposal and became more aware of their surroundings. This also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG number 12, target 12.5, which aims to substantially reduce waste generation by 2030 through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
