MBSP STEPS UP FOOD WASTE CONTROL AT 54 RAMADAN BAZAARS

By Siti Azila Alias

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is intensifying efforts to curb food waste this Ramadan through a more systematic approach at all 54 bazaars under its jurisdiction.

Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said the focus is on better waste management, including encouraging organisers and traders to separate waste at source to facilitate solid waste handling and reduce daily food disposal.

He said surplus food that is still safe is encouraged to be redistributed or processed into compost as part of sustainability efforts.

MBSP records show 24,667.61 tonnes of domestic waste were collected in Seberang Perai in March last year during Ramadan, comparable to April (24,515.87 tonnes), May (23,904.79 tonnes) and June (23,267.34 tonnes).

“This shows that waste generation during Ramadan is similar to other months, but food wastage still occurs and we hope to minimise it this year,” he said in an interview at Menara MBSP here recently.

He said high waste volume increases management costs, stressing the need for greater awareness among traders and the public.

The measures were emphasised during a Feb 10 briefing for Ramadan bazaar managers and traders across Seberang Perai to ensure compliance throughout the operating period.

MBSP also welcomes collaboration with NGOs, food banks and other parties to distribute excess food to those in need.

“This effort not only reduces food waste but also eases solid waste management and strengthens social welfare while promoting a more responsible and environmentally friendly Ramadan bazaar,” he said.

For this year, MBSP approved 54 Ramadan bazaars involving 4,003 traders - 25 in Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), 19 in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) and 10 in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), down from 61 last year due to less strategic locations and lower response.

Standard operating procedures have been set, focusing on cleanliness, waste management, orderly stall layout and visitor safety.

A total of 35 Licensing Department staff have been assigned to conduct daily patrols to ensure compliance, while food quality and safety are monitored through regular inspections by the MBSP Health Department in collaboration with the State Health Department.

-- BERNAMA