With a population of around 34 million, Malaysia has experienced significant economic growth over the last five decades. In terms of food security, it ranks 41st out of 113 countries on the Global Food Security Index.
Despite this relatively favourable ranking, the issue of food wastage has emerged as a significant concern within the country. According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report 2021, Malaysia tops Southeast Asia in annual food waste generation, with 91kg per capita.
Photo credit: Esperanza Doronila
According to SWCorp last year, on an average day, there were 38,000 tonnes of waste, with 44 percent being food waste. Their studies indicate that during festivities, food wastage increases by 15 to 20 percent. This trend has persisted over the years and continues to present a challenge for resolution.
Additionally, observations indicate that the rate of food waste being reused and recycled in Malaysia is comparatively low, standing at 5%, as opposed to paper (60%) and plastic (15%).
Given the increasing volume of waste generated annually, it prompts one to question the level of awareness among Malaysians regarding the issue of food waste.
A recent study titled “Food Waste Behaviour and Awareness of Malaysians” by Chooi Lin Phooi et al. (2021) showed that most Malaysians were highly aware of the causes and impact of food waste but lacked action on food waste reduction. Some of the findings are as below:
Based on the survey results, several key takeaways that the authors have drawn from the study are as follows:
Malaysians do exhibit environmental and food waste consciousness; however, they tend to prioritize food waste over managing it effectively against environmental impact. Nonetheless, the adage "prevention is better than cure" rings true. Educating the younger generation about food waste prevention is imperative to avoid the associated financial consequences.
There is a lack of knowledge about "best before" and "used by" dates among Malaysian consumers, leading them to believe that food waste primarily occurs due to items exceeding their expiry dates. This confusion often results in the disposal of edible food.
While most Malaysians claim to possess good household skills, their actual implementation of waste management practices is lacking.
Despite understanding that wasting food equates to wasting money and increases food waste management costs, the high standard of living in the community contributes to a relatively low environmental consciousness. Consequently, many believe that implementing a food waste charging or penalty system would be the most effective solution to reduce waste.
Malaysians tend to dispose of food waste in regular dustbins, even though they recognize that bio-composting is the optimal management method.
While Malaysians grasp the impact of food waste and possess knowledge of effective management methods, there is a notable gap between understanding and action in reducing food waste.
In contemplating the survey findings, one might wonder: How might our responses vary if we were the participants providing answers to the survey questions?
How would YOU answer differently if you were the one responding to the survey?
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