Who would have thought that used cooking oil, often discarded, holds enormous potential as an alternative energy source? Through biodiesel innovation, waste cooking oil can now be transformed into eco-friendly fuel that supports a greener planet. Behind every drop of used oil, there's a huge opportunity to save the Earth.

Kitchen Waste, a Global Problem 

Every time we finish frying chicken, tempeh, or other favorite snacks, the leftover cooking oil often ends up in sinks or drains. However, waste cooking oil is not just ordinary waste; it can cause clogged drains, soil contamination, and even damage to aquatic ecosystems. Not only that, the increasing consumption of fossil-based energy is making the world hotter due to rising carbon emissions. Amidst the climate crisis and soaring energy demand, a good practice has emerged: converting waste cooking oil into eco-friendly biodiesel fuel that can save both the planet and people's wallets. This research is led by Dr.Eng. Lusi Ernawati, S.T.M.Sc., or affectionately known as Ibu Lusi, a lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Kalimantan Institute of Technology.

The Magical Journey of Waste Cooking Oil 

Used cooking oil, usually considered useless, can be processed into fuel for diesel vehicles. The process is carried out through a chemical reaction called transesterification, which converts used oil into biodiesel. This fuel has similar properties to diesel fuel but is much more environmentally friendly. Its use does not require major engine modifications; it can even be used directly or mixed with regular diesel.

According to research, the use of biodiesel from waste cooking oil can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85%, meaning that we not only reduce waste but also help curb global warming. In Indonesia, the potential of waste cooking oil is extraordinarily large. Every year, millions of liters of used cooking oil are produced from household kitchens, restaurants, and industries. If processed well, this potential can become a cheap, clean, and useful source of renewable energy.

Five Interesting Facts about Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil

1. Reduce Waste, Prevent Pollution One liter of waste cooking oil improperly disposed of can contaminate up to 1,000 liters of clean water. Processing it into biodiesel helps save the environment from pollution.
2. Abundant Energy from Kitchen Waste Indonesia produces approximately 3 million kiloliters of waste cooking oil annually. This amount is quite significant to meet a portion of national fuel needs.
3. Clean and Does Not Interfere with Food Supply Biodiesel from waste cooking oil does not compete with the food industry because it uses waste, not fresh palm oil.
4. Low Cost, High Economic Value Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil is more cost-effective than new oil, while also creating jobs and promoting a circular economy in society.
5. Directly Usable in Diesel Engines Without engine modifications, biodiesel can be used directly, for instance, through B20 blends (20% biodiesel) that are already being used in Indonesia.

Change Your Perspective: Waste Cooking Oil is Not Waste, But an Asset Biodiesel from waste cooking oil is not just a technological innovation, but also a concrete step to protect the environment and strengthen national energy resilience by transforming leftover kitchen oil into a solution for pollution and energy crisis. It's time for us to change our perspective from discarding to collecting, from waste to fuel.

The highest appreciation is extended to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) for financial support under the Strategic Research Collaboration Grant (KATALIS) scheme with grant number: 001/E5/PG.02.00/PL.BATCH.2/2024.

From used oil, let's build a clean and sustainable future. Because every drop of waste cooking oil can be fuel for change.