Did you know that an average Malaysian household wastes enough food daily to feed millions?
Food shopping is one of the favourite activities of Malaysian households, but did you know that a shocking 25% of groceries go to waste each month? (Mahmood, 2022) For an average family of five spending MYR 900 on groceries, that’s about RM225 a month - translating into RM2,700 a year! This not only impacts financially but also contributes significantly to landfill waste.
Malaysia’s Food Culture and Overspending on Food
Malaysia has a deep-rooted love for food and dining out, especially among the younger generation, which forms a significant part of our culture.
However, this passion for food often leads to overspending and, unfortunately, substantial food waste. In urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Penang, food waste is a growing concern as busy lifestyles and frequent dining out often result in excess food being thrown away.
According to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), Malaysians discard over 17,000 tonnes of food daily, which is around 45% of the 38,000 tonnes of trash that is thrown everyday. That's enough to feed 12 million people three times a day. This problem is even more serious in major cities, where households tend to overspend and waste due to lack of meal planning or impulse buying.
By recognizing these patterns, we can take proactive steps toward responsible consumption, which aligns with the goals of sustainability and the broader aim of reducing our environmental impact.
How Much Are We Really Wasting?
Imagine how much you could save if you reduced food waste by even a small amount each month. Here’s a simple breakdown of potential savings for an average family:
Monthly Savings | Annual Savings |
RM50 | RM600 |
RM100 | RM1,200 |
RM200 | RM3,000 |
By reducing food waste, families can save substantial amounts each year to cover other necessities; like emergency funds, pay off debts, or even save up for their children’s education in the future.
Simple Tips to Reduce Waste and Save Money
Here are some practical tips for households looking to curb food waste and save money:
Meal Planning: Strategically plan your meals to avoid impulse purchases and overbuying.
Proper Food Storage: Did you know that vegetables like lettuce stay fresher longer if stored with a damp paper towel? Simple storage hacks like this can prolong the life of perishables.
Reusing Leftovers: Get creative with leftover ingredients to minimize waste. For example, turn yesterday’s roast chicken into chicken soup or wraps. Find more creative ways to use your food scraps here.
Portion Control: Be mindful when taking your food proportion to prevent uneaten food from being discarded.This not only saves food but also promotes healthier eating.
Imagine the joy of knowing that every meal you save could make a difference in the life of someone in need. By reducing the food we waste at home, we’re not just saving money—we’re creating a brighter, more sustainable future for our children.
Let’s protect what matters most: our planet, our resources, and the people who rely on them.
By addressing this problem, we can not only save money but also contribute to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which aims to halve food waste at the retail and consumer levels.
Check out our next blog, where we’ll explore the environmental impact of food waste and how it contributes to climate change, further highlighting Hopes Malaysia’s collective responsibility toward achieving sustainable development. Before you leave, please share one step you’ve taken for reducing food waste in your home in the comments below!
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