In Malaysia, food waste during Ramadan has become a significant issue, with the first two weeks of this year’s fasting month seeing over 46,000 kilograms of unsold food collected by a food waste-reduction initiative. However, the actual amount of food wasted is believed to be much higher.
To draw attention to the rising problem of food waste, anti-food waste advocates organized a creative protest—an unconventional fashion show featuring discarded food. Volunteers paraded in outfits crafted from clear plastic bags filled with leftover items, including nasi lemak, fried noodles, and kuih (sweet cakes), at a Kuala Lumpur Ramadan bazaar. The event launched the #BazirRamadan campaign, named after the Malay word “bazir,” meaning waste.
“The public was shocked. Some wondered why we were disrupting the bazaar. Others thought it was inappropriate,” said Ainul A’syara Kamal, deputy director of MySaveFood, the group responsible for the initiative. MySaveFood is a non-profit organization focused on reducing food loss and waste.
Ramadan bazaars, once created to provide convenient food for those breaking their fast, have become a booming and highly lucrative business, offering a wide array of choices from traditional dishes like murtabak and grilled fish to Texas-style brisket and Korean fried chicken. Yet, this food abundance often leads to significant waste.
In 2024, MySaveFood managed to collect over 60,000 kg (132,300 lbs) of unsold food from 147 bazaars across Malaysia, preventing it from being sent to landfills. The unsold food was instead redistributed to those in need.
Ainul emphasized the importance of being mindful about food purchases, particularly during Ramadan. “The aim of our trash fashion campaign was to remind people not to buy more than they can consume. During Ramadan, you only need one meal,” she explained. “If you truly respect food, why let it go to waste?”
Food waste remains a serious issue in Malaysia. In 2023, food made up 44% of the 38,000 tonnes (41,900 tons) of solid waste disposed of daily in the country’s landfills, according to data from SWCorp Malaysia, the government agency responsible for waste management.
In the first two weeks of Ramadan this year, MySaveFood collected over 46,000 kg of unsold food. However, Ainul estimates the actual volume of waste is likely much higher, given that around 1,000 bazaars are operating across the country. She attributes the issue to consumers buying more food than they can eat, prompting stall owners to prepare excessive quantities.
“I don’t want to keep collecting unsold food for the next 10 or 20 years,” Ainul stated. “This is not a long-term solution. We need to change the mindset of both buyers and sellers to address the root cause of the waste.”
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