Fighting Food Waste: Volunteers Tackle Ramadan Bazaar Surplus in Malaysia

As the vibrant Ramadan bazaars of Malaysia wind down each evening, a quieter but equally vital operation begins. Amid the lingering aroma of grilled satay and spicy curries, volunteers from Gema Youth Malaysia (Gema) move swiftly through the stalls, collecting unsold food before it is discarded. Their mission, supported by the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), is simple yet profound: to rescue edible surplus and redistribute it to those in need.

This initiative, known as MySaveFood, has been running since 2015, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to combat food waste during the holy month of Ramadan. Last year, Gema’s efforts saved over 60 tonnes of edible food—worth approximately RM720,000 (around USD 155,000 as of March 2025)—from bazaars across seven Malaysian states. With food waste on the rise this Ramadan, their work carries an urgent message for traders and customers alike: think before you throw.

A Race Against Waste

Each evening at 7:30 PM, as many Malaysians break their fast, Gema’s 2,100 volunteers fan out across 127 bazaars in states including Melaka, Johor, and the Federal Territories. Armed with collection bins, they gather untouched rice, packaged noodles, and unopened drinks. Mohammad Harith Mohd Tarik, a 31-year-old software engineer and Gema committee member, explains the process: “We test the food and drinks with the see and smell method. The tasting, we leave to the recipients. However, as most of the food is fresh, it’s still very much edible.”

By 8:30 PM, the collected items are distributed to the poor and to students struggling to afford meals. Leftover drinks, often already packaged, are the easiest to hand out, while bulk items like mee goreng and rice are repacked for distribution. Mohd Harith notes the staggering scale of waste at these bazaars: “On average, one bazaar throws out almost 100kg of food daily. Some can go up to 300kg.”

Rising Waste, Growing Efforts

While the MySaveFood initiative has made significant strides, the challenge of food waste in Malaysia remains daunting. According to SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed, overall food waste during Ramadan 2025 has increased by 11.5% compared to last year. Encouragingly, however, the proportion of edible food waste—items still safe for consumption—has decreased, thanks in part to collaborations like the one with Gema.

“It’s important for the public to realize we cannot keep filling the landfills and opening more to accommodate waste” said Khalid. He highlighted the environmental toll, noting that such waste releases carbon dioxide into the air, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. SWCorp’s partnership with Gema focuses on seven states that have adopted the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672), enabling close coordination with local authorities who oversee the bazaars.

A Broader Environmental Impact

The environmental stakes of food waste extend beyond overflowing landfills. Decomposing food in dumpsites emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas, exacerbating climate change. In a country like Malaysia, where Ramadan bazaars are a cultural cornerstone, the sheer volume of discarded food during the month-long observance poses a unique challenge. By salvaging edible surplus, Gema and SWCorp are not only addressing immediate hunger but also mitigating long-term ecological harm.

The initiative also fosters a sense of community responsibility. Volunteers like Mohd Harith, who has been involved for three years, see their work as a bridge between abundance and need. The act of rescuing a tray of unsold rice or a crate of bottled drinks transforms waste into a resource, offering a small but meaningful lifeline to those on the margins.

Challenges and Future Hopes

Despite its successes, the MySaveFood program faces logistical hurdles. Operating in only seven states limits its reach, as not all regions have adopted the necessary legislation to facilitate such partnerships. Expanding the initiative nationwide would require broader legal and administrative support, as well as greater public awareness to reduce waste at the source.

For now, the volunteers press on, driven by a shared belief that every meal saved is a meal served. As the Ramadan bazaars of Malaysia continue to bustle with life each evening, Gema’s quiet mission offers a reminder of the power of collective action. In a time of excess, their efforts stand as a beacon of sustainability and compassion, urging all to consider the hidden cost of a discarded plate.