Despite a decline from last year, Johor’s food waste crisis remains a significant environmental and economic concern.
Johor is facing an alarming food waste crisis during Ramadan, with 3,223 tonnes of food discarded daily at landfill sites. Although this marks a decrease from the 4,559 tonnes recorded in 2024, the sheer volume remains staggering. The “Appreciate Food, Avoid Waste” campaign by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has been credited with reducing waste, but experts argue that more stringent measures are necessary to address Malaysia’s worsening food wastage problem.
Food waste is an escalating environmental and economic crisis in Malaysia, especially during Ramadan, when excessive food consumption results in large amounts of uneaten meals being discarded. While Johor’s landfill waste has seen a reduction compared to last year, it still accounts for thousands of tonnes of discarded food daily, exacerbating landfill overcrowding, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic losses.
Johor’s Daily Food Waste Reaches Critical Levels
During the first week of Ramadan, Johor recorded an average of 3,223 tonnes of food waste dumped at landfill sites daily. For perspective, this amount could fill approximately 1,289 Olympic-sized swimming pools each day.
Despite public awareness campaigns and food management initiatives, the figures remain concerning. Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, Chairman of the State Housing and Local Government Committee, acknowledged the decrease in waste but emphasized that more action is needed to prevent unnecessary food disposal.
The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has been leading efforts to curb food waste through campaigns like “Appreciate Food, Avoid Waste”, which encourages more responsible consumption habits. The initiative has reportedly helped reduce landfill food waste, but Malaysia still lacks a Food Waste Act—a legal framework that could enforce stricter waste reduction policies, similar to those in France, Italy, and South Korea.
In France, supermarkets are legally required to donate unsold food to charities, while Italy provides tax incentives for food businesses that distribute surplus meals instead of discarding them. South Korea, on the other hand, imposes a fee on food waste to discourage overconsumption and excessive disposal.
The Economic and Environmental Impact of Food Waste
Food waste is not just an environmental problem—it is also an economic burden. Malaysia ranks fourth globally in food wastage, with an estimated 81kg of food waste per capita annually, behind Laos (97kg), Thailand (86kg), and Cambodia (85kg).
The decomposition of food waste in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Additionally, much of the wasted food comes from government-subsidized staples such as rice, wheat flour, sugar, and palm oil, further straining public resources.
Without stronger policies and better consumer awareness, Malaysia risks continuing this unsustainable cycle, harming both its economy and environmental sustainability.
Calls for Legislative Action on Food Waste
A proposal for a Food Waste Act was first proposed in 2018 by Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, then Chairperson of the National Development Plan. The bill was later brought up in Parliament in 2022 by MP Che Alias Hamid, but discussions were cut short following the dissolution of Parliament in October 2022. Since then, no further legislative action has been taken.
Food waste advocates argue that a legal framework would incentivize businesses and households to adopt better food consumption habits while holding corporations accountable for unsustainable practices. Experts stress that without firm legislation, Malaysia’s food waste issue will only worsen, particularly during high-consumption periods such as Ramadan and festive seasons.
With Johor being a major economic hub connected to Singapore, the growing food waste crisis has broader regional implications. Tourists and cross-border visitors should be aware of Malaysia’s food sustainability challenges, particularly during Ramadan, when bazaar stalls and restaurants contribute to excessive waste.
Singapore has strict regulations on food wastage, and collaboration between the two nations could help develop cross-border initiatives to address food security and sustainability in Southeast Asia. Implementing stronger policies, food donation systems, and public education campaigns is essential to reducing waste and improving environmental sustainability across the region.
Sources: NST Online (2025), Daily Express (2025)
Keywords: Johor Ramadan Waste, Malaysia Food Waste, Ramadan Dumped Food, Food Waste Management, Sustainability Campaign, SWCorp Initiative, Landfill Food Disposal
