BINTULU (March 27): The ‘Towards Zero Food Waste’ initiative here, funded by Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), is making significant strides in reducing food waste at the Bazaar Ramadan BDA, Bintulu Esplanade.

Implemented in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB), this pioneering effort successfully diverted over 500 kg of food waste from landfill disposal, reaffirming BDA’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

With the active involvement of 34 stall operators, this initiative implements two primary strategies to reduce food waste.

The first strategy involves direct food donations, where excess edible food is donated by stall operators to the community, including local mosques and individuals in need, immediately after operating hours.

This approach has successfully redistributed over 300 kg of food, ensuring that perfectly good food is utilised to benefit the community rather than being discarded.

The second strategy focuses on food waste recycling, where inedible food waste is carefully segregated, collected, and sent to UPMKB for conversion into compost and biogas.

To date, over 200 kg of food waste has been repurposed, preventing unnecessary landfill accumulation.

As part of this ongoing effort, the project will be extended to Bintulu town after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

“We are deeply committed to environmental sustainability and fully support initiatives like this.

“By working together, we can create a model of zero food waste that not only benefits the community but also sets a benchmark for sustainable practices in the region,” said BDA general manager Datu Muhamad Yakup Kari.

Meanwhile, project leader and head of the Borneo Biodiversity Laboratory, Institute of Ecoscience Borneo (IEB) UPMKB Dr Keeren Sundara Rajoo said the composting box used in this project was developed in collaboration with Japanese experts to better suit Malaysia’s climate and environmental conditions.

“Unlike conventional composting systems, this innovative solution does not require the addition of composting accelerators or agents, making it both efficient and cost-effective,” he added.

He also said this initiative will continue until the end of Ramadan, with the goal of transforming the Bazaar Ramadan BDA into a completely zero food waste model.