Embarking on a journey to make a positive impact on societal challenges, students from diverse nations—May Myat Noe and Hnin Pwint Phyu (Myanmar), Munira Ibrahim Mohamed (Ethiopia), Halima Mohamed Ahmed (Djibouti), and Thinley Yeshey Choden (Bhutan)—joined together under the common banner of social change.
Despite their diverse academic majors, including business administration, finance, and computer science, they united during a workshop on scented candle making from used cooking oil organised by their seniors. Driven by a shared passion for addressing social issues, they found a common purpose during a workshop and decided to channel their expertise into a unified venture. This fortunate meeting inspired the establishment of AromaRevive, a social business registered with the 3ZERO Club dedicated to attaining zero net carbon emissions.
They deal with the widespread issue of improper cooking oil disposal, which leads to pipe clogs, environmental degradation, and increased costs. Despite regulations, the harmful practice of improper disposal of used cooking oil continues to pose a significant threat to the environment. As global consumption of vegetable oils and fats increases, the low recycling rate of used cooking oil highlights the urgent need to address this environmental issue.
That being the case, they focus on raising awareness about the recyclability of used cooking oil and aim to collect it starting in Alor Setar city. They offer a direct solution to the issue of improper cooking oil disposal by transforming used cooking oil into scented wax tablets—a unique approach to recycling. These tablets offer an eco-friendly way to reduce waste while providing a pleasant fragrance for drawers, shelves, and closets.
The innovative approach involves using used cooking oil as the main ingredient and applying traditional purification methods without chemicals to produce clean, reusable oil. They then use this purified oil to create fragrant wax tablets.
AromaRevive's business model prioritises sustainability, ethically sourcing raw materials, and adopting eco-friendly production methods.
Not only do they deliver high-quality products through the use of aromatherapy, but they also actively contribute to environmental conservation. AromaRevive's transformative journey highlights several key milestones and proactive initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. Early on, the successful collection of 2 litres of used cooking oil from AIU students through donation posts laid a crucial foundation for their raw material supply chain.
Subsequently, having already produced over 300 tablets, the team's dedication to repurposing waste into valuable products becomes unmistakable. Strategically, AromaRevive engages with the AIU community and beyond. Notably, they set up a booth at the AIU Convocation Foyer during the public lecture series, showcasing their scented wax tablets and offering a tangible presence.
Furthermore, during AIU's graduation day, they went above and beyond by providing customised gift boxes, forging a memorable connection between their product and the celebratory occasion. Expanding beyond the university, AromaRevive reached out to the LOHAS green market at Dap Xianglu in Alor Setar.
This strategic move enabled them to connect with customers beyond AIU and highlighted their commitment to reaching a broader audience.
Showing significant improvement, they expanded their market presence by listing products on Shopee through a partnership with AIUShop. Their outreach and community engagement highlight AromaRevive's proactive approach and the resonance of its mission with the AIU community and the public.
AromaRevive secured the Gold Award at the International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Carnival (IIEC) 2024, organised by Kolej MARA Kuala Nerang. This achievement highlights their innovative abilities and entrepreneurial spirit. AromaRevive's success validates its commitment to sustainable, impactful business practises. Ultimately, AromaRevive represents a promising step toward a more sustainable future—a harmonious blend of innovation, environmental friendliness, and customer delight.