Break your fast and help the planet: Iftar Ala Madinah Programme features food waste recycling
Karangkraf event promotes sustainability with composting machines
SHAH ALAM - The Iftar Ala Madinah Programme@Karangkraf 2024, running from today until April 5, is taking a unique approach by offering food waste recycling machines that convert scraps into compost.
Sinar Karangkraf Group Marketing and Branding Head Nik Justin Nik Mohd Ariffin said the initiative aims to raise public awareness about environmental sustainability during Ramadan.
"We understand that Ramadan often involves buying or preparing excess food.
"With an expected 1,500 daily visitors, we hope these recycling machines will encourage them to embrace eco-friendly practices," he told Sinar on Monday.
The Iftar Ala Madinah Programme@Karangkraf will be held daily at 6pm (except weekends) at Dataran Karangkraf, Section 15 here.
The programme offers religious lectures, food vendors, and other activities alongside the opportunity to break the Ramadan fast.
Nik Justin also disclosed that the food waste recycling initiative aligns with Karangkraf Group's commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
He said visitors can witness the composting process and even take home free compost on designated days.
"We have a special machine on-site that demonstrates how food waste transforms into compost.
"This compost will be used for our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, including community gardens and sales to new farmers at affordable prices," he added.
Meanwhile, Mentari Alam Eko (M) Sdn Bhd Assistant Project Manager Fairuzzatulaini Alias noted that the machine addresses the issue of food waste ending up in landfills.
"The machine processes food scraps and converts them into usable compost within 24 hours.
"This is the first time it's being used in a public space, as it's typically found in public markets," she said.
The Iftar Ala Madinah Programme hopes to inspire residents to embrace food waste composting, either through the provided machines or by implementing composting methods at home.
The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) is contributing four to five similar machines for public use in Shah Alam's public markets.
