RM.idRakyat Merdeka – The problem of used cooking oil which is often disposed of carelessly into gutters or other places and pollutes the environment is now being answered with innovation. University Trisakti Through one of the Tridharma of Higher Education, namely a cross-faculty Community Service (Community Service) program, University Trisakti Community Service team held a training session on processing used cooking oil waste into economically valuable antiseptic hand soap.

The training was held at the Manunggal Meruya Selatan Child-Friendly Integrated Public Space (RPTRA), West Jakarta, Tuesday (10/13/2026), involving dozens of cadres from the local sub-district Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team (TP-PKK).

The Head of the Community Service Implementation, Dr. drg. Yohana Yusra, M.Kes explained that the problem related to environmental pollution by used cooking oil waste has been addressed by University Trisakti by involving multidisciplinary sciences in conducting research and processing used cooking oil into hand washing soap.

To prevent used cooking oil pollution from polluting the environment and instead generate economic value, University Trisakti is providing training to members of the Family Welfare Movement (TP-PKK) in South Meruya, West Jakarta. “This is because this area is densely populated and has many culinary MSMEs with high volumes of used cooking oil waste. Furthermore, it is supported by a very active TP-PKK Instituteion, which facilitates ongoing monitoring,” he said in a statement received by the editors.

He continued, explaining that people often dump used cooking oil into drains, which causes pollution and clogs drains.

“Through this activity, we want to introduce that used cooking oil that has gone through a purification process can be reused as a raw material for hand washing soap,” said Yohana.

The soap developed also incorporates lemongrass, which has a distinctive aroma and potential active compounds. “More than just a method for making soap, this activity aims to raise awareness that waste is not the end of the process, but rather the beginning of innovation. This is the concept of a circular economy,” he emphasized.

This Community Service activity is not only practical, but also interdisciplinary education. Topics covered include the environmental impact of used cooking oil, sanitation and handwashing (HWCP), health aspects, and entrepreneurial management, calculating COGS (Cost of Goods Sold), and digital marketing.

Participants also followed pre-test And post-test, hands-on workshop refining of used cooking oil based on natural bio-adsorbent and saponification of liquid soap, as well as handover starter kit equipment, distillation apparatus, goodie bag, and finished liquid soap products.

The main objectives are the transfer of appropriate technology, community empowerment through the establishment of circular economy business units, and the fulfillment of the Higher Education Key Performance Indicators (IKU 2, 3, 5) and the student MBKM program.

South Meruya Village Head, Muhamad Maizar, stated that this activity aligns with Jakarta Governor’s Instruction No. 5 of 2026 concerning waste management. He stated that University Trisakti activities are very beneficial to the community.

“Not only does it reduce the impact of used cooking oil, which is often disposed of carelessly, but it can also be used as hand soap. Besides being environmentally friendly, it also has economic value,” said Maizar.

The sub-district is ready to collaborate and bridge the community with Trisakti University for a mass used cooking oil collection initiative. “We are ready to collaborate, starting with training and collecting used cooking oil, so that it has economic value and a clean environment,” he said.

One of the participants, Cica Karmila, who is also the Secretary of the PKK of Meruya Selatan Village, admitted that she gained a lot of new knowledge.

“Thank God, we learned a lot from this Trisakti Community Service Program. Household waste, which has been damaging the environment, can now be used to make hand soap. What was once trash can now boost the family’s income,” he said.

Cica hopes for ongoing training, including courses on processing used cooking oil into environmentally friendly hand soap and saving money. “From a drop of used cooking oil managed wisely, we can protect the environment and create opportunities for community well-being,” she concluded.

This program involves a cross-faculty team of lecturers:

1. Dr. drg. Yohana Yusra, M.Kes. (Chief Executive – FKG)
2. Dr. Komariah, S.Si., M.Biomed. (Member – FKG)
3. Dr. Margareta Maria Sintorini, M.Kes. (Member – FALTL)
4. Dr. Hartini, MM (Member – FEB)
5. drg. Sri Lestari, M.Kes. (Member – Faculty of Dentistry)
6. Drg. Florencia Livia Kurniawan, MKG (Member – FKG)
7. Drg. Najla Nadiah, M.MedSci. (Member – FKG)
8. Drg. Jessica Endriyana, M.Si
9. Suci Centini, SE (Member – FKG).

FKG Student Team: Ananda Shelly Melyda, Jenifer Angela Gunawan, Juniarta Manalu, Aleceandra, Ancha. FALTL Student Team: Ahmad Rheza, Muhammad Ammar, Afandi Naufal.

Source quoted from: https://rm.id/baca-berita/education/330104/University-trisakti-latih-kader-tppkk-meruya-selatan-ubah-jelantah-jadi-sabun-cuci-tangan