KOTA SAMARAHAN: The issue of excessive food waste disposal must be addressed urgently due to its escalating impact on the environment.
Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) acting general manager Kusyairi Bostani said the increasing amount of food waste is leading to other problems, including soil contamination, foul odours, and fires at landfill sites.
He urged the public to take proactive steps to reduce food waste through home-based composting activities.
“Public awareness of this issue is still low, as we continue to see food waste increasing year by year.
“This requires comprehensive and holistic efforts for us to achieve the target of zero food waste, with village residents segregating domestic waste at home using available technology,” he said.
He said this during the launching ceremony of the Home Compost Workshop held in conjunction with the Campaign Towards Zero Food Waste by 2030 at Kampung Naie Lama here today (Dec 21).
He added that food waste in Kota Samarahan alone reached 43,000 metric tons in 2021, with the likelihood of further increases in subsequent years.
Aside from preserving environmental sustainability, he noted that home composting could also generate additional income for villagers, as the resulting compost could be sold to buyers.
“Villagers who can process and sell it to organic fertiliser complexes can earn up to RM5,000 per 10 metric tonnes.
“If they supply 10 times a year, they could generate RM50,000 annually,” he added.
The programme was organised by LCDA in collaboration with the Muara Tuang Women’s Development Association and the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Naie. It saw 150 participants from eight villages, namely Kampung Mang, Kampung Empila, Kampung Niup, Kampung Tanjung Tuang, Kampung Melayu, Kampung Naie Lama, Kampung Bangka Semong, and Kampung Nakong.
