KUCHING: Food waste at the Stutong Ramadan Bazaar is minimal and manageable, says Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan.
The Stutong Ramadan Bazaar is one of the popular bazaars in the city, and Chan said: “Food is sold off fast and if there be any leftover, which should be minimal, it is taken back by the hawkers either for their own consumption or distributed to the needy.”
“Thus, there is no issue of food waste as business is good and food bought is consumed quickly. Food at all stalls are cleared every day and we have not come across large volumes of food thrown away or collected in rubbish bags,” he told New Sarawak Tribune today.
“In fact, the emphasis on hygiene, cleanliness and safe food remains a top priority. Even Health Ministry officers are stationed at the bazaar to ensure food sold is clean and hygienic.
“One of MBKS’ conditions during the bazaar is that hawkers do not use plastic or polystyrene packaging for food sold, and from checks made thus far, compliance is good,” he said.
Chan reiterated that MBKS recognised the important need to reduce and recycle food waste in achieving its mission of a more sustainable, environmentally friendly and vibrant Kuching.
MBKS has implemented the organic waste composting initiative at its market places, where unsold or thrown away produce will be used as material for the composing centres.
The Ramadan Bazaar is situated near to the Stutong Community Market where there is an established organic waste composting centre which MBKS is always actively promoting to the hawkers, residents, non-governmental organisations, schools and interested green groups, around the area and in Kuching.
“Like other local councils, MBKS also implemented the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on food waste management to further increase the awareness of the public on how to turn food waste into high value products and usable substance of compost.
“All these are in line with the council’s vision to reduce the usage of plastic, food waste and promote recycling under the SDG12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, building a beautiful city to be on par with other major cities and protecting the environment for future generations to live and enjoy,” he said.
