Waste not, want not: Ramadan bazaar at Bandar Baru Uda, Johor Baru. Consumers are urged to be thrifty to reduce wastage. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: This Ramadan, many Johoreans are rethinking their consumption habits to reduce waste and curb overindulgence.
Newlywed Nur Mysara Ahmad Fauzi, 25, said she plans to keep things simple by preparing meals like fried fish, omelette or vegetable soup for sahur (pre-dawn meal).
“My husband and I are looking forward to our first Ramadan as a married couple after tying the knot in January.
“Since we have different working schedules, we will be breaking fast separately, so sahur will be our special time together,” she said when interviewed.
Nur Mysara, who works in the public sector, said she has also been looking up new recipes on social media to cook for her family on her days off.
“If there are leftovers, we will reheat them for sahur the next day. To avoid wastage, I will only buy one dish and a small portion of kuih when visiting Ramadan bazaars,” she added.
Freelance photographer Mohd Eddy Jaafar, 32, is taking a stricter approach by skipping Ramadan bazaars altogether.
“I always feel that bazaar food and drinks are expensive and use a lot of plastic packaging. My wife, who also prefers home-cooked meals, is determined to cook more often during Ramadan.
“This way, we can eat healthier and avoid unnecessary waste,” he added.
Meanwhile, waste management concessionaire SWM Environment expects food waste to surge by 10% to 20% this Ramadan compared with last year.
Corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin urged consumers to be thrifty in their purchases.
“Buy only what you need, especially at Ramadan bazaars. Our Value Food, No Waste campaign will continue this year to encourage consumers to cut waste and urge bazaar traders to donate excess food to the needy,” he said.
Mohd Norlisam also encouraged the use of reusable food containers and tiffin carriers when shopping at bazaars or ordering takeaways.
