Malaysians Throw Away Enough Food to Feed 2 Million People Every Day

Earlier this month, it was reported that the bazaars around Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were generating 53 tons of food waste a day.

Well, it looks like it’s only getting worse.

According to a post by BFM News, 2021 government data has revealed that our country amasses over 16,700 tons of waste on a daily basis, and 45% of that is food. The Lost Food Project gathered the information, adding that 24% of the food waste is edible and can feed 2 million people everyday.

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“That’s definitely a concern especially in Malaysia, we are a country that is home to about 5.6% of the poverty rate and that is equivalent to about 400,000 households in Malaysia,” Rossin Bassi, the Business Operations Manager of the Lost Food Project, said.

They have since attributed the food waste to the lack of knowledge and experience by business owners on waste disposal, causing a 21% increase in solid waste in the past 5 years.

Additionally, the total waste also increased from 2,500 tons in 2016 to 3,000 tons in 2021, during Ramadhan.

The Lost Food Project (TLFP) is a Malaysian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to a sustainable future by rescuing ‘lost’ food and finding it a new home with people who need it most.

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And by ‘lost’ food, they mean Lost excess food that is in date, yet unwanted.

TLFP prevents quality, nutritious food and other surplus goods from going to landfill, and redistributes this food and other essential items to those in need – regardless of religion, gender, age, disability or ethnic group.

You can check out their website here, for further information on their mission.

How do you think we can start preventing food waste? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: Kelantan Bazaar Left Trashed Despite Local Council Preparing Enough Garbage Disposal Facilities