Ministry mulls ‘zero waste’ project by year end

PUTRAJAYA: A “zero waste” pilot project is targeted to be implemented by the end of this year.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry was working on a framework for the programme.

“After the working paper and brainstorming sessions, we will issue licences to hypermarkets, such as Tesco, Giant and Aeon, as they always have surplus of food items, be it vegetables, fruits or bakery goods.

“The current practice is to throw these items into landfills.

“But we want to get the cooperation of these companies, so that food items can be distributed to the less fortunate and needy, as long as the items are not expired.

“Rest assured, this plan is on the top of our list, and we want to ensure it’s implemented as soon as possible, for the benefit of the rakyat.”

Saifuddin said the “zero waste” policy could be looked at as a way to ensure that every sen subsidised by the government for food and cooking ingredients, such as cooking oil, returned to the rakyat.

He said the working paper would look at “zero waste” models from other countries, such as the United States, France and Singapore.

“They have been practicing this for a long time. We can learn from their programme, but at the same time adapt it to our culture.

“What’s certain is that we have to make sure that expired items are not used in this programme, as we don’t want the public to suffer from food poisoning. Hence, there should be laws to regulate the policy.”

Having implemented a similar programme in Kedah and Penang last year, Saifuddin expressed his passion for “zero waste”.

“I initiated the ‘Mutiara Food Bank’ programme last year, involving 17,000 families, and eight Tesco hypermarkets in Penang and Kedah.”

He said it proved to work effectively and had a high impact despite minimal costs.

“There are non-governmental organisations already practicing this in the Klang Valley, but we want to do this on a bigger scale.”