WORKSHOPS FOR MAKING HANDMADE CANDLES FROM WASTE FRYING OIL: ART AND SUSTAINABILITY GO HAND-IN-HAND

Abstract

Improper disposal of waste cooking oil (WCO) is one of the primary environmental issues associated with chemical waste in modern societies. WCO contaminates soil and water bodies, affecting the quality of life and causing mortality in aquatic environments as well as increasing the cost of maintaining sewage systems. One of the main strategies to mitigate these impacts is to promote the reuse or recycling of WCO to produce biodegradable items, such as candles, soaps, and biofuels. In this work, we report on the experience of developing a workshop focused on the production of handmade candles from WCO to raise awareness among the population about the polluting capacity of this waste and offer opportunities for income generation. With relatively low raw material costs, candles can be sold at fairs, craft stores, or online platforms, transforming WCO into valuable ingredients and contributing to new arrangements for circular and family economies. Members of the Cicla-Óleo extension project linked to UFPB promoted this activity. The activities were carried out in schools and communities in the context of multiple-activity workshops and as a single-activity workshop at the NGO Boulevard in João Pessoa/PB in the Valentina neighborhood. The actions carried out in the workshop involved participation of 13 women over the age of 50. The results showed a high level of engagement by the group, which demonstrated interest in both the environmental issue and the entrepreneurial potential of the activity. Many of the women who participated expressed their intention to apply learning in their daily lives.