OPTIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF CANDLE FROM WASTE COOKING OIL

Abstract

ABSTRACT – Waste cooking oil (WCO) poses a significant environmental hazard due to its improper disposal practices. Disposal of WCO directly into kitchen sinks results in its congealing within pipes, leading to obstruction and accumulation in drainage systems. Utilizing WCO for candle production offers a feasible solution due to its simplicity and flexibility in the manufacturing process. This study aims to produce candles from WCO and soy wax. Candles were manufactured using different ratios of WCO to soy wax (9:1, 8:2, and 7:3). Melting point determination, light emission analysis, lifespan assessment, and measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and PM2.5 in their soot were performed. Based on the characterization tests done, candle with a 9:1 WCO to soy wax ratio achieved optimal characteristics, including higher melting points, brighter light emission and longer lifespans. Additionally, when compared to the other ratios, candle 9:1 shows the highest average VOC and the lowest PM2.5 emission. Despite the high VOC value found, it is still remains below the permissible limit, indicating that the candle is safe to the environmental and health. Finally, this paper's findings highlight the significance of taking into account a variety of environmental factors when assessing the sustainability of candle produced from WCO.