Shah alam: For most people, spoiled fruits and vegetables are little more than rubbish destined for the landfill. In Shah Alam, however, these discarded food items are collected almost every day and transformed into organic fertiliser that is put to good use by local communities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative, introduced by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) in 2016, aims to change public perception that food waste inevitably ends up at disposal sites. Instead, it demonstrates how what is often regarded as worthless refuse can be turned into a valuable resource that supports sustainability and the circular economy. Beyond diverting waste from landfills, the programme contributes to environmental conservation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing communities with affordable organic fertiliser for urban farming and community gardens.
The programme prioritizes organic waste management. MBSA reports that the initiative was launched after identifying that about 42 per cent of the more than 700 metric tonnes of waste generated daily within its jurisdiction consists of surplus food and organic matter. This waste management strategy complements the council's broader objective of reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.
MBSA deputy director of Public Cleansing and Waste Sustainability Haslina Ab Aziz explained that the programme began as a pilot project at the Section 6 Market in 2016, utilizing two composting machines. It has since expanded significantly. Currently, MBSA operates nine composting centres equipped with 10 composting machines of varying capacities at different locations, including the Section 6 Market, Section 16 Market, and Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh Market.
Data shows that between 2021 and May this year, MBSA collected over 291 metric tonnes of food waste, primarily from markets, food stalls, and restaurants across Shah Alam. This waste was converted into approximately 28 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser. The initiative mandates that over 2,000 food premises separate food waste at the source, which is then collected by MBSA-appointed contractors and transported to the nearest composting centre.
The composting process is efficient; Haslina described how food waste is sorted to remove contaminants and then mixed with coconut pulp and enzymes to accelerate decomposition. Using composting machines, the process takes about three to four days to yield organic fertiliser. The conversion rate stands at roughly five kilograms of food waste producing one kilogram of organic fertiliser.
The programme's success is evident in its growing compost production, which has increased from 3.2 metric tonnes in 2021 to a notable 9.8 metric tonnes by May this year. Waste collection and processing are managed by appointed contractors, with the support of on-site workers to ensure smooth operations.
Haslina highlighted that the organic fertiliser, branded as 'Foodie Compost', undergoes rigorous quality testing by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) to ensure it meets agricultural standards. The fertiliser is sold at RM5 per kilogram, accessible to the public and used in various community gardens.
The initiative not only reduces landfill waste and methane emissions but also enhances soil fertility, benefiting local farmers and gardeners economically. The MBSA plans to expand its waste management capabilities by increasing composting machines and exploring new technologies such as Anaerobic Digester technology and Black Soldier Fly larvae technology, aiming to convert food waste into both fertiliser and biogas.
Through these innovative approaches, the MBSA seeks to cultivate a culture of sustainability among the residents of Shah Alam, encouraging them to view food waste as a resource that can return to the garden.