INTERACTIVE: Turning the tide on Ramadan food waste

Proposed blurb: Awareness is rising on the need to cut food waste, including during festivals as well as Ramadan. We sort through the latest numbers to see if the tide is turning on efforts to reduce the mountainous amount of food that ends up in landfills.

 

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI

PETALING JAYA: Efforts to reduce food waste during Ramadan is getting a boost from consumers who have become more prudent and price conscious when buying food.
 

This is among the reasons for a 6.5% drop in the amount of food waste in the first two weeks of the fasting month this year compared to the same period last year, said Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).
 

The company said 40,723 tonnes of food waste was generated in the first half of Ramadan this year compared to 43,566 tonnes last year – a reduction of 2,843 tonnes.
 

“Individuals are choosing to shop in a more prudent and modest manner, carefully selecting food items according to their specific needs and financial means.
 

“SWCorp's frequent field initiatives to implement the Value Food, Avoid Waste campaign to the community have also played a role,” SWCorp CEO Datuk Ahmad Husaini bin Abdul Rahman told The Star.
 

Food waste often goes up during festivals and Ramadan, but awareness campaigns and programmes collecting unsold Ramadan bazaar food for distribution to the needy have become more common.
 

SWCorp’s figures refer to waste accumulated from 25 designated disposal sites which it runs across six states as well as the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur.
 

The company said it has yet to finalise figures for the full month of Ramadan this year.
 

Food waste is defined as food that is not eaten or wasted at the stages of production, processing, retail, and consumption.
 

 

Food waste collection by state and federal territory
 

 

SWCorp’s figures show that Kuala Lumpur tops the food waste production in the first two weeks of Ramadan this year.
 

Kuala Lumpur accumulated 10,900 tonnes, followed by Kedah (7,600 tonnes) and Johor (7,363 tonnes).
 

Johor recorded the biggest drop in food waste with a 20.39% year-on-year reduction in the first half of Ramadan this year compared to the same period last year.
 

Perlis came second (-12.95%) with Kedah third (-7.06%).
 

An increase in the collection of food waste was observed in two states, namely Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
 

ALSO READ> Johor makes good use of unsold food
 

Home is where the waste is
 

According to SWCorp, the residential sector is the main contributor to food waste at 38%, followed by wet markets/night markets/Ramadan bazaars at 24%, and food premises at 23%.
 

A study done by the company last year found that of the total food waste disposed of, 70% was unavoidable (inedible) food waste while 30% was avoidable (edible) food waste.
 

For instance, during the first two weeks of Ramadan this year, residential areas produced about 15,500 tonnes of food waste of which 30% (4,700 tonnes) was still edible.
 

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, unavoidable food waste includes bones, fruit peels, and vegetable roots while avoidable food waste includes items like excess meat and vegetables.
 

 

 

 

Here is what we throw out
 

SWCorp’s study on solid waste composition found that food waste constitutes the largest proportion at 35.45% of the total solid waste disposed of last year.
 

This is followed by plastics (26.94%), paper (10.34%), and disposable diapers/napkins (8.19%).
 

There are also waste categories with tiny percentages in the solid waste composition ranging from slightly over 0% to almost 3.4% such as textile waste, garden waste, wood, metal, and face masks.
 

 

 

 

Reducing Aidilfitri food waste
 

In conjunction with Aidilfitri, Ahmad Husaini said SWCorp works with state governments, local authorities, NGOs and hotel associations to implement a “Value Food, Avoid Waste” campaign.
 

SWCorp CEO, Datuk Ahmad Husaini bin Abdul Rahman

“During the last week of Ramadan, SWCorp will issue announcements and share tips on avoiding food wastage and cultivating 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) practices at ‘pocket talk’ events or talks at bazaars.
 

“SWCorp also conducts the Recycling Market-Preloved Raya Clothes program at the Ramadan bazaar, allowing bazaar visitors to obtain used festive clothing for free,” Ahmad Husaini said.
 

The company also conducts a “Trash to Cash” before Aidilfitri to encourage the community to collect and sell recyclable items generated from house cleaning activities during the festive celebration.