KUALA LUMPUR: Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) is targeting to reduce further the 20 per cent increase in food waste disposed during Ramadan this year.
Its research found that there will be an increase of between 15 to 20 per cent of food waste disposal during the festive period including Ramadan and Hari Raya.
Its chairman Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar said it is a norm that there will be a significant increase in management of food waste during the period.
"At the end of this Ramadan, let us see how the situation is, but we want to avoid more food wastage.
"Utilise the food as much as possible. If cannot finish it during breaking of fast, then try to use it for Sahur.
"Let us do our part to ensure it does not end at the landfill," he said at Jalan Jujur Ramadan Bazaar in Bandar Tun Razak here today.
To avoid wasting food, he urged consumers to plan the items to buy and stick to it when visiting the bazaar, though they might be tempted to buy more.
As for the traders, he urges them not to offer 'packages' which could also contribute to food waste.
"For instance, we want to buy two items, but the seller sells it in packages of four.
"So we end up buying more," he added.
SWCorp launched 'Hargai Makanan Elak Pembaziran' campaign with 'Ramadan Tanpa Pembaziran' today.
Also present was SWCorp chief executive officer Ismail Mokhtar.
Every day, around 17,000 tons of food waste is produced throughout the country.
A total of 24 per cent, equivalent to 4,050 tons, is food waste which can be avoided. These can be reused to give to three million people three meals daily.