Amid rising global awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability, one often overlooked waste product is used cooking oil. Many people dispose of it carelessly, allowing the waste to flow into waterways, which ultimately leads to soil and water pollution. On the other hand, many floor cleaning products currently on the market still contain harmful chemicals, which not only endanger human health but also damage the environment. Responding to this issue, five students from Diponegoro University, namely Fahmi Agil Prasetia, Dhea Khaililla Indiarti Parmono, Sigit Pramana, Hanin Nadiyah Al Muthi’ah, and Syafiqa Mahera El Bukhary, under the guidance of Dr. Mohamad Endy Julianto, S.T., M.T., successfully created an innovative and environmentally friendly solution they named BiVoClean (Bio Vocational Cleaner).
Used cooking oil, the waste generated from cooking activities, actually holds great potential as an alternative raw material. The team from the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (TRKI) Study Program at the Vocational School of Diponegoro University is utilizing this used cooking oil as the main ingredient in the production of floor cleaner. This process transforms it from waste considered useless into a product with hygienic and valuable benefits. Additionally, they added basil leaf extract, which is known as a culinary ingredient but has natural antibacterial properties and a refreshing aroma. The active compounds found in basil, such as flavonoids, phenols, and essential oils, act as natural disinfectants, providing dual benefits for this floor cleaner.
The process of making BiVoClean begins by processing used cooking oil thru hydrolysis and esterification to produce ester compounds. Then, bioactive compounds are extracted from basil leaves, which naturally contain antibacterial properties. The resulting ester reaction is then mixed with basil leaf extract, distilled water, and natural emulsifiers to create a floor cleaner that is not only effective in cleaning but also protects floors from harmful microorganisms.
BiVoClean has significant market potential, especially in Indonesia, where floor cleaner is an everyday necessity in households, schools, and offices. Consumers are now becoming increasingly aware of the importance of products that are not only effective but also safe for health and the environment. This product has a positive ecological and social impact. From an environmental perspective, BiVoClean prevents pollution from used cooking oil and reduces dependence on synthetic chemicals. Socially, BiVoClean opens up opportunities for collecting used cooking oil from households and empowering local communities. Thus, BiVoClean becomes a real example of the concept of a circular economy and sustainable green innovation.
More than just a floor cleaner, BiVoClean is a symbol of a paradigm shift, demonstrating that waste can be transformed into valuable products. This innovation proves that environmental concern and the creativity of the younger generation can produce concrete solutions that benefit not only physical cleanliness but also environmental sustainability. BiVoClean is a small step toward a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for Indonesia.